In situ monitoring of incised wound healing in animal model using second-harmonic-generation and third-harmonic-generation microscopy

Precise assessment of wound healing degree is important to avoid infection and achieve good prognosis without remaining of keloid or hypertrophic scars. In this paper, we apply the combination of second-harmonic-generation (SHG) microscopy with third-harmonic-generation (THG) microscopy for incised wound animal model, and visualize collagen dynamics during the wound healing process in time series in situ. Due to the difference of contrast mechanism, SHG image visualizes distribution of dermal collagen fibers whereas THG image visualizes surface of the epidermis. SHG/THG microscopy enable us to track the phase of wound healing for the same subject from the viewpoint of the temporal and spatial dynamic of collagen fibers and the epidermis surface.