Imaging coronary artery microstructure using second-harmonic and two-photon fluorescence microscopy

An automated approach for three-dimensional quantification of fibrillar structures in optically cleared soft biological tissues

We present a novel approach allowing for a simple, fast and automated morphological analysis of three-dimensional image stacks (z-stacks) featuring fibrillar structures from optically cleared soft biological tissues. Five non-atherosclerotic tissue samples from human abdominal aortas were used to outline the multi-purpose methodology, applicable to various tissue types. It yields a three-dimensional orientational distribution of relative amplitudes, representing the original collagen fibre morphology, identifies regions of isotropy where no preferred fibre orientations are observed and determines structural parameters throughout anisotropic regions for the analysis and numerical modelling of biomechanical quantities such as stress and strain. Our method combines optical tissue clearing with second-harmonic generation imaging, Fourier-based image analysis and maximum-likelihood estimation for distribution fitting. With a new sample preparation method for arteries, we present, for the first time to our knowledge, a continuous three-dimensional distribution of collagen fibres throughout the entire thickness of the aortic wall, revealing novel structural and organizational insights into the three arterial layers.

Dysfunction in elastic fiber formation in fibulin-5 null mice abrogates the evolution in mechanical response of carotid arteries during maturation

Elastin fragmentation is a common characteristic of vascular diseases, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic dissection. Examining growth and remodeling in the presence of dysfunctional elastic fibers provides insight into the adaptive or maladaptive changes that tissues undergo in compensating for structural deficiencies. This study used the maturation of fibulin-5 knockout (KO) and wild-type mice to study the effects of fragmented elastic fibers on the growth and remodeling of carotid arteries. The microstructural content and organization and the biaxial mechanical behavior of common carotid arteries were measured, and parameter estimation performed from KO and WT mice aged 3, 4, 8, and 13 wk. Gross measurements and biaxial tests revealed significant differences in pressure-diameter behavior, in vivo axial stretch, opening angle, compliance, and wall stresses during maturation of wild-type arteries, but little change in these values in KO mice. Multiphoton microscopy used to image collagen fibers across the vessel wall in pressurized and stretched arteries suggests that there is little variation in fiber angles between different ages. Parameter estimation revealed significant differences in material parameters between genotypes and age groups. This study suggests that neonatal formation and cross-linking of functional elastic fibers, followed by increases in artery size due to growth with little remodeling of the elastic fibers, endow arteries with large distensibility and contribute to the evolution of mechanical behavior of arteries during maturation. Dysfunction in neonatal formation of elastic fibers abrogates many of the changes in mechanical response that take place during the maturation.

Location-dependent coronary artery diffusive and convective mass transport properties of a lipophilic drug surrogate measured using nonlinear microscopy

PURPOSE

Arterial wall mass transport properties dictate local distribution of biomolecules or locally delivered dugs. Knowing how these properties vary between coronary artery locations could provide insight into how therapy efficacy is altered between arterial locations.

METHODS

We introduced an indocarbocyanine drug surrogate to the lumens of left anterior descending and right coronary (LADC; RC) arteries from pigs with or without a pressure gradient. Interstitial fluorescent intensity was measured on live samples with multiphoton microscopy. We also measured binding to porcine coronary SMCs in monoculture.

RESULTS

Diffusive transport constants peaked in the middle sections of the LADC and RC arteries by 2.09 and 2.04 times, respectively, compared to the proximal and distal segments. There was no statistical difference between the average diffusivity value between LADC and RC arteries. The convection coefficients had an upward trend down each artery, with the RC being higher than the LADC by 3.89 times.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the convective and diffusive transport of lipophilic molecules changes between the LADC and the RC arteries as well as along their length. These results may have important implications in optimizing drug delivery for the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Nonlinear optical microscopy in decoding arterial diseases

Pathological understanding of arterial diseases is mainly attributable to histological observations based on conventional tissue staining protocols. The emerging development of nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM), particularly in second-harmonic generation, two-photon excited fluorescence and coherent Raman scattering, provides a new venue to visualize pathological changes in the extracellular matrix caused by atherosclerosis progression. These techniques in general require minimal tissue preparation and offer rapid three-dimensional imaging. The capability of label-free microscopic imaging enables disease impact to be studied directly on the bulk artery tissue, thus minimally perturbing the sample. In this review, we look at recent progress in applications related to arterial disease imaging using various forms of NLOM.

Targeted disruption of Adamts16 gene in a rat genetic model of hypertension

A disintegrin-like metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-16 (Adamts16) is an important candidate gene for hypertension. The goal of the present study was to further assess the candidacy of Adamts16 by targeted disruption of this gene in a rat genetic model of hypertension. A rat model was generated by manipulating the genome of the Dahl Salt-sensitive (S) rat using zinc-finger nucleases, wherein the mutant rat had a 17 bp deletion in the first exon of Adamts16, introducing a stop codon in the transcript. Systolic blood pressure (BP) of the homozygous Adamts16(mutant) rats was lower by 36 mmHg compared with the BP of the S rats. The Adamts16(mutant) rats exhibited significantly lower aortic pulse wave velocity and vascular media thickness compared with S rats. Scanning electron and fluorescence microscopic studies indicated that the mechanosensory cilia of vascular endothelial cells from the Adamts16(mutant) rats were longer than that of the S rats. Furthermore, Adamts16(mutant) rats showed splitting and thickening of glomerular capillaries and had a longer survival rate, compared with the S rats. Taken together, these physiological observations functionally link Adamts16 to BP regulation and suggest the vasculature as the potential site of action of Adamts16 to lower BP.

Passive pressure-diameter relationship and structural composition of rat mesenteric lymphangions

BACKGROUND

Lymph flow depends on both the rate of lymph production by tissues and the extent of passive and active pumping. Here we aim to characterize the passive mechanical properties of a lymphangion in both mid-lymphangion and valve segments to assess regional differences along a lymphangion, as well as evaluating its structural composition.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mesenteric lymphatic vessels were isolated and cannulated in a microchamber for pressure-diameter (P-D) testing. Vessels were inflated from 0 to 20 cmH(2)O at a rate of 4 cmH(2)O/min, and vessel diameter was continuously tracked, using an inverted microscope, video camera, and custom LabVIEW program, at both mid-lymphangion and valve segments. Isolated lymphatic vessels were also pressure-fixed at 2 and 7 cmH(2)O and imaged using a nonlinear optical microscope (NLOM) to obtain collagen and elastin structural information. We observed a highly nonlinear P-D response at low pressures (3-5 cmH(2)O), which was modeled using a three-parameter constitutive equation. No significant difference in the passive P-D response was observed between mid-lymphangion and valve regions. NLOM imaging revealed an inner elastin layer and outer collagen layer at all locations. Lymphatic valve leaflets were predominantly elastin with thick axially oriented collagen bands at the insertion points.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a highly nonlinear P-D response at low pressures (3-5 cmH(2)O) and developed the first constitutive equation to describe the passive P-D response for a lymphangion. The passive P-D response did not vary among regions, in agreement with the composition of elastin and collagen in the lymphatic wall.

Three-dimensional second-harmonic generation imaging of fibrillar collagen in biological tissues

Multiphoton-induced second-harmonic generation (SHG) has developed into a very powerful approach for in depth visualization of some biological structures with high specificity. In this unit, we describe the basic principles of three-dimensional SHG microscopy. In addition, we illustrate how SHG imaging can be utilized to assess collagen fibrils in biological tissues. Some technical considerations are also addressed.

Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix of the aorta studied by enzymatic treatments

The microarchitecture of different components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial to our understanding of the properties of a tissue. In the study presented here, we used a top-down approach to understand how the interplay among different fibers determines the mechanical properties of real tissues. By selectively removing different elements of the arterial wall, we were able to measure the contribution of the different constituents of the ECM to the mechanical properties of the whole tissue. Changes in the network structure were imaged with the use of two-photon microscopy. We used an atomic force microscope to measure changes in the mechanical properties by performing nanoindentation experiments. We show that although the removal of a key element of the ECM reduced the local stiffness by up to 50 times, the remaining tissue still formed a coherent network. We also show how this method can be extended to study the effects of cells on real tissues. This new (to our knowledge) way of studying the ECM will not only help physicists gain a better understanding of biopolymers, it will be a valuable tool for biomedical researchers studying processes such as wound healing and cervix ripening.

Quantitative analysis of monocyte subpopulations in murine atherosclerotic plaques by multiphoton microscopy

The progressive accumulation of monocyte-derived cells in the atherosclerotic plaque is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. However, it is now appreciated that monocytes represent a heterogeneous circulating population of cells that differ in functionality. New approaches are needed to investigate the role of monocyte subpopulations in atherosclerosis since a detailed understanding of their differential mobilization, recruitment, survival and emigration during atherogenesis is of particular importance for development of successful therapeutic strategies. We present a novel methodology for the in vivo examination of monocyte subpopulations in mouse models of atherosclerosis. This approach combines cellular labeling by fluorescent beads with multiphoton microscopy to visualize and monitor monocyte subpopulations in living animals. First, we show that multiphoton microscopy is an accurate and timesaving technique to analyze monocyte subpopulation trafficking and localization in plaques in excised tissues. Next, we demonstrate that multiphoton microscopy can be used to monitor monocyte subpopulation trafficking in atherosclerotic plaques in living animals. This novel methodology should have broad applications and facilitate new insights into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.

Quantitative assessment of collagen fibre orientations from two-dimensional images of soft biological tissues

In this work, we outline an automated method for the extraction and quantification of material parameters characterizing collagen fibre orientations from two-dimensional images. Morphological collagen data among different length scales were obtained by combining the established methods of Fourier power spectrum analysis, wedge filtering and progressive regions of interest splitting. Our proposed method yields data from which we can determine parameters for computational modelling of soft biological tissues using fibre-reinforced constitutive models and gauge the length scales most appropriate for obtaining a physically meaningful measure of fibre orientations, which is representative of the true tissue morphology of the two-dimensional image. Specifically, we focus on three parameters quantifying different aspects of the collagen morphology: first, using maximum-likelihood estimation, we extract location parameters that accurately determine the angle of the principal directions of the fibre reinforcement (i.e. the preferred fibre directions); second, using a dispersion model, we obtain dispersion parameters quantifying the collagen fibre dispersion about these principal directions; third, we calculate the weighted error entropy as a measure of changes in the entire fibre distributions at different length scales, as opposed to their average behaviour. With fully automated imaging techniques (such as multiphoton microscopy) becoming increasingly popular (which often yield large numbers of images to analyse), our method provides an ideal tool for quickly extracting mechanically relevant tissue parameters which have implications for computational modelling (e.g. on the mesh density) and can also be used for the inhomogeneous modelling of tissues.

Constitutive modeling of mouse carotid arteries using experimentally measured microstructural parameters

Changes in the local mechanical environment and tissue mechanical properties affect the biological activity of cells and play a key role in a variety of diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Constitutive relations have long been used to predict the local mechanical environment within biological tissues and to investigate the relationship between biological responses and mechanical stimuli. Recent constitutive relations for soft tissues consider both material and structural properties by incorporating parameters that describe microstructural organization, such as fiber distributions, fiber angles, fiber crimping, and constituent volume fractions. The recently developed technique of imaging the microstructure of a single artery as it undergoes multiple deformations provides quantitative structural data that can reduce the number of estimated parameters by using parameters that are truly experimentally intractable. Here, we employed nonlinear multiphoton microscopy to quantify collagen fiber organization in mouse carotid arteries and incorporated measured fiber distribution data into structurally motivated constitutive relations. Microscopy results demonstrate that collagen fibers deform in an affine manner over physiologically relevant deformations. The incorporation of measured fiber angle distributions into constitutive relations improves the model's predictive accuracy and does not significantly reduce the goodness of fit. The use of measured structural parameters rather than estimated structural parameters promises to improve the predictive capabilities of the local mechanical environment, and to extend the utility of intravital imaging methods for estimating the mechanical behavior of tissues using in situ structural information.

Experimental investigation and constitutive modeling of the 3D histomechanical properties of vein tissue

Numerous studies have provided material models of arterial walls, but limited information is available on the pseudo-elastic response of vein walls and their underlying microstructure, and only few constitutive formulations have been proposed heretofore. Accordingly, we identified the histomechanics of healthy porcine jugular veins by applying an integrated approach of inflation/extension tests and histomorphometric evaluation. Several alternate phenomenological and microstructure-based strain-energy functions (SEF) were attempted to mimic the material response. Evaluation of their descriptive/predictive capacities showed that the exponential Fung-type SEF alone or in tandem with the neo-Hookean term did not capture the deformational response at high pressures. This problem was solved to a degree with the neo-Hookean and two-fiber (diagonally arranged) family SEF, but altogether the least reliable fit was generated. Fitting precision was much improved with the four-fiber (diagonally, circumferentially, longitudinally arranged) family model, as the inability of neo-Hookean function with force data was alleviated by use of the longitudinal-fiber family. Implementation of a quadratic term as a descriptor of low-pressure anisotropy facilitated the simulation of low-pressure and force data, and the four-fiber families simulated more faithfully than the two-fiber families the physiologic and high-pressure response. Importantly, this SEF was consistent with vein angioarchitecture, namely the occurrence of extensive elastin fibers along the longitudinal axis and few orthogonal fibers attached to them and of three collagen sets with circumferential, longitudinal, and diagonal arrangement, respectively. Our findings help to establish the relationship between vein microstructure and its biomechanical response, yet additional observations are obligatory prior to endeavoring generalizations to other veins.

Three-dimensional imaging of small intestine morphology using non-linear optical microscopy and endogenous signals

Two-photon microscopy (2PM) has become a gold standard for deep-tissue observations in the living animal as well as on thick samples. Using 2PM, the endofluorescence properties of biomolecules have shown an interesting potential for the imaging of tissues without any staining. In this short communication, we report a method to observe the different layers of mouse small intestine explants with subcellular resolution and without any staining or clearing. This method allows rapid observations of samples with little to no preparation thanks to the endofluorescence properties of biomolecules such as NAD(P)H or flavins and second-harmonic generation. Finally, we show different three-dimensional reconstructions of the mouse small intestine anatomy obtained with this approach to show the potential of this method in morphological studies.

The layered structure of coronary adventitia under mechanical load

The mechanical loading-deformation relation of elastin and collagen fibril bundles is fundamental to understanding the microstructural properties of tissue. Here, we use multiphoton microscopy to obtain quantitative data of elastin and collagen fiber bundles under in situ loading of coronary adventitia. Simultaneous loading-imaging experiments on unstained fresh coronary adventitia allowed morphometric measurements of collagen and elastin fibril bundles and their individual deformation. Fiber data were analyzed at five different distension loading points (circumferential stretch ratio λ(θ) = 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8) at a physiological axial stretch ratio of λ(axial) = 1.3. Four fiber geometrical parameters were used to quantify the fibers: orientation angle, waviness, width, and area fraction. The results show that elastin and collagen fibers in inner adventitia form concentric densely packed fiber sheets, and the fiber orientation angle, width, and area fraction vary transmurally. The extent of fiber deformation depends on the initial orientation angle at no-distension state (λ(θ) = 1.0 and λ(axial) = 1.3). At higher distension loading, the orientation angle and waviness of fibers decrease linearly, but the width of collagen fiber is relatively constant at λ(θ) = 1.0-1.4 and then decrease linearly for λ(θ) ≥ 1.4. A decrease of the relative dispersion (SD/mean) of collagen fiber waviness suggests a heterogeneous mechanical response to loads. This study provides fundamental microstructural data for coronary artery biomechanics and we consider it seminal for structural models.

Development of a nonlinear fiber-optic spectrometer for human lung tissue exploration

Several major lung pathologies are characterized by early modifications of the extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrillar collagen and elastin network. We report here the development of a nonlinear fiber-optic spectrometer, compatible with an endoscopic use, primarily intended for the recording of second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal of collagen and two-photon excited fluorescence (2PEF) of both collagen and elastin. Fiber dispersion is accurately compensated by the use of a specific grism-pair stretcher, allowing laser pulse temporal width around 70 fs and excitation wavelength tunability from 790 to 900 nm. This spectrometer was used to investigate the excitation wavelength dependence (from 800 to 870 nm) of SHG and 2PEF spectra originating from ex vivo human lung tissue samples. The results were compared with spectral responses of collagen gel and elastin powder reference samples and also with data obtained using standard nonlinear microspectroscopy. The excitation-wavelength-tunable nonlinear fiber-optic spectrometer presented in this study allows performing nonlinear spectroscopy of human lung tissue ECM through the elastin 2PEF and the collagen SHG signals. This work opens the way to tunable excitation nonlinear endomicroscopy based on both distal scanning of a single optical fiber and proximal scanning of a fiber-optic bundle.

A theoretical and non-destructive experimental approach for direct inclusion of measured collagen orientation and recruitment into mechanical models of the artery wall

Gradual collagen recruitment has been hypothesized as the underlying mechanism for the mechanical stiffening with increasing stress in arteries. In this work, we investigated this hypothesis in eight rabbit carotid arteries by directly measuring the distribution of collagen recruitment stretch under increasing circumferential loading using a custom uniaxial (UA) extension device combined with a multi-photon microscope (MPM). This approach allowed simultaneous mechanical testing and imaging of collagen fibers without traditional destructive fixation methods. Fiber recruitment was quantified from 3D rendered MPM images, and fiber orientation was measured in projected stacks of images. Collagen recruitment was observed to initiate at a finite strain, corresponding to a sharp increase in the measured mechanical stiffness, confirming the previous hypothesis and motivating the development of a new constitutive model to capture this response. Previous constitutive equations for the arterial wall have modeled the collagen contribution with either abrupt recruitment at zero strain, abrupt recruitment at finite strain or as gradual recruitment beginning at infinitesimal strain. Based on our experimental data, a new combined constitutive model was presented in which fiber recruitment begins at a finite strain with activation stretch represented by a probability distribution function. By directly including this recruitment data, the collagen contribution was modeled using a simple Neo-Hookean equation. As a result, only two phenomenological material constants were required from the fit to the stress stretch data. Three other models for the arterial wall were then compared with these results. The approach taken here was successful in combining stress-strain analysis with simultaneous microstructural imaging of collagen recruitment and orientation, providing a new approach by which underlying fiber architecture may be quantified and included in constitutive equations.

Towards endoscopic ultrafast laser microsurgery of vocal folds

Vocal fold scarring is a predominant cause of voice disorders yet lacks a reliable treatment method. The injection of soft biomaterials to improve mechanical compliance of the vocal folds has emerged as a promising treatment. Here, we study the use of precise femtosecond laser microsurgery to ablate subsurface voids, with a goal of eventually creating a plane in dense subepithelial scar tissue into which biomaterials can be injected for their improved localization. Specifically, we demonstrate the ablation of small subepithelial voids in porcine vocal fold tissue up to 120 [micro sign]m below the surface such that larger voids in the active area of vocal fold mucosa (~3×10 mm(2)) can eventually be ablated in about 3 min. We use sub-μJ, 776-nm pulses from a compact femtosecond fiber laser system operating at a 500-kHz repetition rate. The use of relatively high repetition rates, with a small number of overlapping pulses, is critical to achieving ablation in a very short time while still avoiding significant heat deposition. Additionally, we use the same laser for nonlinear optical imaging to provide visual feedback of tissue structure and to confirm successful ablation. The ablation parameters, including pulse duration, pulse energy, spot size, and scanning speed, are comparable to the specifications in our recently developed miniaturized femtosecond laser surgery probes, illustrating the feasibility of developing an ultrafast laser surgical instrument.

Characterization of collagen fibers by means of texture analysis of second harmonic generation images using orientation-dependent gray level co-occurrence matrix method

Collagen is the most prominent protein in the human body, making up 30% of the total protein content. Quantitative studies have shown structural differences between collagen fibers of the normal and diseased tissues, due to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix during the pathological process. The dominant orientation, which is an important characteristic of collagen fibers, has not been taken into consideration for quantitative collagen analysis. Based on the conventional gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) method, the authors proposed the orientation-dependent GLCM (OD-GLCM) method by estimating the dominant orientation of collagen fibers. The authors validated the utility of the OD-GLCM method on second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopic images of tendons from rats with different ages. Compared with conventional GLCM method, the authors' method has not only improved the discrimination between different tissues but also provided additional texture information of the orderliness of collagen fibers and the fiber size. The OD-GLCM method was further applied to the differentiation of the preliminary SHG images of normal and cancerous human pancreatic tissues. The combination of SHG microscopy and the OD-GLCM method might be helpful for the evaluation of diseases marked with abnormal collagen morphology.

Combined two-photon luminescence microscopy and OCT for macrophage detection in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit aorta using plasmonic gold nanorose

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The macrophage is an important early cellular marker related to risk of future rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Two-channel two-photon luminescence (TPL) microscopy combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to detect, and further characterize the distribution of aorta-based macrophages using plasmonic gold nanorose as an imaging contrast agent.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nanorose uptake by macrophages was identified by TPL microscopy in macrophage cell culture. Ex vivo aorta segments (8 × 8 × 2 mm(3) ) rich in macrophages from a rabbit model of aorta inflammation were imaged by TPL microscopy in combination with OCT. Aorta histological sections (5 µm in thickness) were also imaged by TPL microscopy.

RESULTS

Merged two-channel TPL images showed the lateral and depth distribution of nanorose-loaded macrophages (confirmed by RAM-11 stain) and other aorta components (e.g., elastin fiber and lipid droplet), suggesting that nanorose-loaded macrophages are diffusively distributed and mostly detected superficially within 20 µm from the luminal surface of the aorta. Moreover, OCT images depicted detailed surface structure of the diseased aorta.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that TPL microscopy combined with OCT can simultaneously reveal macrophage distribution with respect to aorta surface structure, which has the potential to detect vulnerable plaques and monitor plaque-based macrophages overtime during cardiovascular interventions.

Altered tissue behavior of a non-aneurysmal descending thoracic aorta in the mouse model of Marfan syndrome

Aortic aneurysm is predominantly found in the ascending aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). However, descending aortic disease has emerged as a problem since people are living longer because of improved medical and surgical management of the ascending aorta. Diagnostic procedures before disease onset and the mechanisms involved in the transition of normal aortic tissue to aneurysm remain unclear. We determined signs of descending aortic disease before disease onset in mice with a mutation in the fibrillin 1 gene (Fbn1(+/C1039G)), a validated mouse model of disease susceptibility and progression of aortic aneurysm of MFS. We analyzed a tubular unfixed non-aneurysmal descending thoracic aorta from 8-month-old wild-type and Fbn1(+/C1039G) mice by a tubular biaxial tester that works in conjunction with a two-photon nonlinear microscope. Fbn1(+/C1039G) mouse aorta was more compliant in the circumferential direction. Two-photon imaging showed defective organization of adventitial collagen fibers in the pressurized aortas of Fbn1(+/C1039G) mice. Moreover, disruption in the elastic lamina was noted in the absence of aneurysms in pressurized aortas but not unpressurized aortas of Fbn1(+/C1039G) mice. At the molecular level, this altered tissue behavior in non-aneurysmal descending aortas of Fbn1(+/C1039G) mice was accompanied by an increasing trend of canonical but not noncanonical, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling. Finally, assays of in vitro collagen lattice formation in mouse wild-type and TGFβ1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts indicate that TGFβ1 can regulate collagen organization. The ability to reveal the presence of altered biomechanics and microstructure coupled with subtle changes in TGFβ signaling provides a novel surrogate measure of tissue susceptibility to aneurysm before disease onset.

The effects of angiotensin II on the coupled microstructural and biomechanical response of C57BL/6 mouse aorta

RATIONALE

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease that leads to a localized dilation of the infrarenal aorta, the rupture of which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Animal models of AAA can be used to study how changes in the microstructural and biomechanical behavior of aortic tissues develop as disease progresses in these animals. We chose here to investigate the effect of angiotensin II (AngII) in C57BL/6 mice as a first step towards understanding how such changes occur in the established ApoE(-/-) AngII infused mouse model of AAA.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to utilize a recently developed device in our laboratory to determine how the microstructural and biomechanical properties of AngII-infused C57BL/6 wildtype mouse aorta change following 14 days of AngII infusion.

METHODS

C57BL/6 wildtype mice were infused with either saline or AngII for 14 day. Aortas were excised and tested using a device capable of simultaneously characterizing the biaxial mechanical response and load-dependent (unfixed, unfrozen) extracellular matrix organization of mouse aorta (using multiphoton microscopy). Peak strains and stiffness values were compared across experimental groups, and both datasets were fit to a Fung-type constitutive model. The mean mode and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of fiber histograms from two photon microscopy were quantified in order to assess the preferred fiber distribution and degree of fiber splay, respectively.

RESULTS

The axial stiffness of all mouse aorta was found to be an order of magnitude larger than the circumferential stiffness. The aortic diameter was found to be significantly increased for the AngII infused mice as compared to saline infused control (p=0.026). Aneurysm, defined as a percent increase in maximum diameter of 30% (defined with respect to saline control), was found in 3 of the 6 AngII infused mice. These three mice displayed adventitial collagen that lacked characteristic fiber crimp. The biomechanical response in the AngII infused mice showed significantly reduced circumferential compliance. We also noticed that the ability of the adventitial collagen fibers in AngII infused mice to disperse in reaction to circumferential loading was suppressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Collagen remodeling is present following 14 days of AngII infusion in C57BL/6 mice. Aneurysmal development occurred in 50% of our AngII infused mice, and these dilatations were accompanied with adventitial collagen remodeling and decreased circumferential compliance.

Combined in vivo multiphoton and CARS imaging of healthy and disease-affected human skin

We present combined epi-coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and multiphoton imaging with both chemical discrimination and subcellular resolution on human skin in vivo. The combination of both image modalities enables label-free imaging of the autofluorescence of endogenous fluorophores by two-photon excited fluorescence, as well as imaging of the distribution of intercellular lipids, topically applied substances and water by CARS. As an example for medical imaging, we investigated healthy and psoriasis-affected human skin with both image modalities in vivo and found indications for different lipid distributions on the cellular level.

Multiphoton fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and fluorescence lifetime imaging of whole cleared mouse organs

Multiphoton microscopy of cleared tissue has previously been demonstrated to generate large three-dimensional (3D) volumetric image data on entire intact mouse organs using intrinsic tissue fluorescence. This technique holds great promise for performing 3D virtual biopsies, providing unique information on tissue morphology, and guidance for subsequent traditional slicing and staining. Here, we demonstrate the use of fluorescence lifetime imaging in cleared organs for achieving molecular contrast that can reveal morphologically distinct structures, even in the absence of knowledge of the underlying molecular source. In addition, we demonstrate the power of multimodal imaging, combining multiphoton fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and lifetime imaging to reveal exceptional morphological detail in an optically cleared mouse knee.

A Micromechanics Finite-Strain Constitutive Model of Fibrous Tissue

Biological tissues have unique mechanical properties due to the wavy fibrous collagen and elastin microstructure. In inflation, a vessel easily distends under low pressure but becomes stiffer when the fibers are straightened to take up the load. The current microstructural models of blood vessels assume affine deformation; i.e., the deformation of each fiber is assumed to be identical to the macroscopic deformation of the tissue. This uniform-field (UF) assumption leads to the macroscopic (or effective) strain energy of the tissue that is the volumetric sum of the contributions of the tissue components. Here, a micromechanics-based constitutive model of fibrous tissue is developed to remove the affine assumption and to take into consideration the heterogeneous interactions between the fibers and the ground substance. The development is based on the framework of a recently developed second-order homogenization theory, and takes into account the waviness, orientations, and spatial distribution of the fibers, as well as the material nonlinearity at finite-strain deformation. In an illustrative simulation, the predictions of the macroscopic stress-strain relation, and the statistical deformation of the fibers are compared to the UF model, as well as finite-element (FE) simulation. Our predictions agree well with the FE results, while the UF predictions significantly overestimate. The effects of fiber distribution and waviness on the macroscopic stress-strain relation are also investigated. The present mathematical model may serves as a foundation for native as well as for engineered tissues and biomaterials.

Polarization state studies in second harmonic generation signals to trace atherosclerosis lesions

We have performed multi-photon image reconstructions as well as polarization state analyses inside an artery wall affected by atherosclerosis to investigate the changes in collagen structure. Mice, either healthy or affected by spontaneous atherosclerosis, have been used for this purpose. A two-photon imaging system has been used to investigate atherosclerotic lesions in the ascending aorta of mice. Second harmonic imaging has been performed alternatively on healthy samples and on affected region. The reconstructed images show that the spatial distribution of the collagen network seems disorganized by the disease. The polarization state studies reveal however that the apparent disorganization of the collagen is related to its spatially diffuse distribution and that the internal structure of the collagen fibers is not affected by the disease. In addition, a theoretical simulation of the second harmonic polarization states shows that they are consistent with the known 3D structure of the collagen network.

Adaptation of a planar microbiaxial optomechanical device for the tubular biaxial microstructural and macroscopic characterization of small vascular tissues

Murine models of disease are a powerful tool for researchers to gain insight into disease formation, progression, and therapies. The biomechanical indicators of diseased tissue provide a unique insight into some of these murine models, since the biomechanical properties in scenarios such as aneurysm and Marfan syndrome can dictate tissue failure and mortality. Understanding the properties of the tissue on the macroscopic scale has been shown to be important, as one can then understand the tissue's ability to withstand the high stresses seen in the cardiac pulsatile cycle. Alterations in the biomechanical response can foreshadow prospective mechanical failure of the tissue. These alterations are often seen on the microstructural level, and obtaining detailed information on such changes can offer a better understanding of the phenomena seen on the macroscopic level. Unfortunately, mouse models present problems due to the size and delicate features in the mechanical testing of such tissues. In addition, some smaller arteries in large-animal studies (e.g., coronary and cerebral arteries) can present the same issues, and are sometimes unsuitable for planar biaxial testing. The purpose of this paper is to present a robust method for the investigation of the mechanical properties of small arteries and the classification of the microstructural orientation and degree of fiber alignment. This occurs through the cost-efficient modification of a planar biaxial tester that works in conjunction with a two-photon nonlinear microscope. This system provides a means to further investigate how microstructure and mechanical properties are modified in diseased transgenic animals where the tissue is in small tube form. Several other hard-to-test tubular specimens such as cerebral aneurysm arteries and atherosclerotic coronary arteries can also be tested using the described modular device.

A linearized and incompressible constitutive model for arteries

In many biomechanical studies, blood vessels can be modeled as pseudoelastic orthotropic materials that are incompressible (volume-preserving) under physiological loading. To use a minimum number of elastic constants to describe the constitutive behavior of arteries, we adopt a generalized Hooke's law for the co-rotational Cauchy stress and a recently proposed logarithmic-exponential strain. This strain tensor absorbs the material nonlinearity and its trace is zero for volume-preserving deformations. Thus, the relationships between model parameters due to the incompressibility constraint are easy to analyze and interpret. In particular, the number of independent elastic constants reduces from ten to seven in the orthotropic model. As an illustratory study, we fit this model to measured data of porcine coronary arteries in inflation-stretch tests. Four parameters, n (material nonlinearity), Young's moduli E₁ (circumferential), E₂ (axial), and E₃ (radial) are necessary to fit the data. The advantages and limitations of this model are discussed.

Two-photon microscopy of healthy, infarcted and stem-cell treated regenerating heart

Two-photon excitation autofluorescence (produced in myocytes) and second-harmonic generation (produced mainly by collagen) allow label-free visualization of these two important components of myocardium. Because of their different emission wavelengths, these two signals can be separated spectrally. Here, we examine two-photon microscopy images of healthy, infarcted and stem-cell treated rat hearts. We find that in infarcted heart, regions distant from the site of infarct are similar to healthy tissue in composition (mostly myocytes, very little collagen) and organization (densely packed myocytes), but infarct regions are characterized by sparse myocytes and high collagen content indicative of scar tissue formation. Stem cell treated hearts, in contrast, show regions of intertwined myocytes and collagen throughout the infarct, suggesting reduced tissue damage. Finally, these results offer interesting insights into our ongoing polarized light studies of cardiac tissue anisotropy, and reveal that both tissue composition and tissue micro-organization are reflected in polarization-measured linear retardance values.

Second harmonic generation imaging microscopy: applications to diseases diagnostics

Second Harmonic Generation microscopy has emerged as a powerful new optical imaging modality. This Feature describes its chemical and physical principles and highlights current applications in disease diagnostics.

Design and demonstration of a microbiaxial optomechanical device for multiscale characterization of soft biological tissues with two-photon microscopy

The biomechanical response of tissues serves as a valuable marker in the prediction of disease and in understanding the related behavior of the body under various disease and age states. Alterations in the macroscopic biomechanical response of diseased tissues are well documented; however, a thorough understanding of the microstructural events that lead to these changes is poorly understood. In this article we introduce a novel microbiaxial optomechanical device that allows two-photon imaging techniques to be coupled with macromechanical stimulation in hydrated planar tissue specimens. This allows that the mechanical response of the microstructure can be quantified and related to the macroscopic response of the same tissue sample. This occurs without the need to fix tissue in strain states that could introduce a change in the microstructural configuration. We demonstrate the passive realignment of fibrous proteins under various types of loading, which demonstrates the ability of tissue microstructure to reinforce itself in periods of high stress. In addition, the collagen and elastin response of tissue during viscoelastic behavior is reported showing interstitial fluid movement and fiber realignment potentially responsible for the temporal behavior. We also demonstrate that nonhomogeneities in fiber strain exist over biaxial regions of assumed homogeneity.

Stent-induced coronary artery stenosis characterized by multimodal nonlinear optical microscopy

We demonstrate for the first time the applicability of multimodal nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopy to the interrogation of stented coronary arteries under different diet and stent deployment conditions. Bare metal stents and Taxus drug-eluting stents (DES) were placed in coronary arteries of Ossabaw pigs of control and atherogenic diet groups. Multimodal NLO imaging was performed to inspect changes in arterial structures and compositions after stenting. Sum frequency generation, one of the multimodalities, was used for the quantitative analysis of collagen content in the peristent and in-stent artery segments of both pig groups. Atherogenic diet increased lipid and collagen in peristent segments. In-stent segments showed decreased collagen expression in neointima compared to media. Deployment of DES in atheromatous arteries inhibited collagen expression in the arterial media.

Facilitated noninvasive visualization of collagen and elastin in blood vessels

Multiphoton imaging is a powerful tool for three-dimensional visualization of extracellular matrix components such as collagen and elastin in fresh, nonfixed, and nonembedded tissues. We have previously published data on the induction of the second harmonic generation signal of collagen and autofluorescence of elastin using a tunable multiphoton laser system. Without staining, a second harmonic generation signal was detected for collagen when excited at wavelength lambda(ex) = 840 nm. Switching the excitation wavelength to 760 nm enabled visualization of elastic fiber structures. A limitation of this technology is the laser-tuning process that requires calibration of the system in between the studies. Now we have developed a facilitated method for studying tissues and tissue equivalents that enables simultaneous visualization of collagen and elastin structures using only a single excitation wavelength of 840 nm in combination with two different band-pass filters. This facilitated method will expand the range of application by reducing required time and expenses for the laser system without reducing its capability.

A link between stent radial forces and vascular wall remodeling: the discovery of an optimal stent radial force for minimal vessel restenosis

Coronary and peripheral artery disease (PAD) continue to be primary causes of morbidity and mortality in western nations; percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stenting has become a popular treatment. Unfortunately, restenosis is a significant problem following intravascular stent placement. This study considers the contribution of stent forces in vascular stenosis and remodeling to develop an equation for identifying the optimal stent force. z-Type stents of three radial forces [low (3.4 N), high (16.4 N), and ultrahigh (19.4 N)] were deployed into the iliac arteries of a juvenile porcine model. Vessel diameters were measured before, after deployment, and again at 30 days. At 30 days animals were killed and the vessels fixed in situ. After implantation, there was a significant increase in total thickness and neointimal hyperplasia with increasing stent force. The model for vessel radius and experimental data was in agreement. The model shows that maximum late-term radius is achieved with a stent deployment stress of 480 kPa, which occurs at the end of the stress-strain curve nonlinear domain and beginning of the high-strain collagen domain. The results and calculations suggest that an optimal stent force exists that is subject to the geometry, structure, and mechanics of the target vessel. To achieve maximum late-term dilatation, stents should not produce stress in the vessel wall greater than the end of the transitional domain of the vessel's stress-strain curve. This finding is extremely important for vascular stent development and will be expanded to preliminary vessel wall injury and atherosclerotic models.

Differentiating atherosclerotic plaque burden in arterial tissues using femtosecond CARS-based multimodal nonlinear optical imaging

A femtosecond CARS-based nonlinear optical microscope was used to simultaneously image extracellular structural proteins and lipid-rich structures within intact aortic tissue obtained from myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits (WHHLMI). Clear differences in the NLO microscopic images were observed between healthy arterial tissue and regions dominated by atherosclerotic lesions. In the current ex-vivo study, we present a single parameter based on intensity changes derived from multi-channel NLO image to classify plaque burden within the vessel. Using this parameter we were able to differentiate between healthy regions of the vessel and regions with plaque, as well as distinguish plaques relative to the age of the WHHLMI rabbit.

Two-photon microscopy of deep intravital tissues and its merits in clinical research

Multiphoton excitation laser scanning microscopy, relying on the simultaneous absorption of two or more photons by a molecule, is one of the most exciting recent developments in biomedical imaging. Thanks to its superior imaging capability of deeper tissue penetration and efficient light detection, this system becomes more and more an inspiring tool for intravital bulk tissue imaging. Two-photon excitation microscopy including 2-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generated signal microscopy is the most common multiphoton microscopic application. In the present review we take diverse ocular tissues as intravital samples to demonstrate the advantages of this approach. Experiments with registration of intracellular 2-photon fluorescence and extracellular collagen second harmonic generated signal microscopy in native ocular tissues are focused. Data show that the in-tandem combination of 2-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generated signal microscopy as two-modality microscopy allows for in situ co-localization imaging of various microstructural components in the whole-mount deep intravital tissues. New applications and recent developments of this high technology in clinical studies such as 2-photon-controlled drug release, in vivo drug screening and administration in skin and kidney, as well as its uses in tumourous tissues such as melanoma and glioma, in diseased lung, brain and heart are additionally reviewed. Intrinsic emission two-modal 2-photon microscopy/tomography, acting as an efficient and sensitive non-injurious imaging approach featured by high contrast and subcellular spatial resolution, has been proved to be a promising tool for intravital deep tissue imaging and clinical studies. Given the level of its performance, we believe that the non-linear optical imaging technique has tremendous potentials to find more applications in biomedical fundamental and clinical research in the near future.

Multiphoton excitation characteristics of cellular fluorophores of human skin in vivo

In vivo multiphoton tomography with a wavelength-tunable femtosecond laser has been performed to investigate the autofluorescence intensity of major endogenous fluorophores of human skin in dependence on the excitation wavelength. In high-resolution multiphoton images of different skin layers, clear trends were found for fluorophores like keratin, NAD(P)H, melanin as well as for the elastin and collagen networks. The analysis of the measurements is supplemented by additional measurements of fluorescence lifetime imaging and signal-decay curves by time-correlated single-photon counting.

Chemically selective analysis of molecular monolayers by nonlinear optical stokes ellipsometry

The application of nonlinear optical Stokes ellipsometry (NOSE) coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) is demonstrated for the chemically selective analysis of molecular monolayers. NOSE allows for rapid polarization measurements of nonlinear optical materials and thin surface films, which in turn benefits from comparably fast data analysis approaches. PCA combined with linear curve fitting techniques greatly reduce the analysis time relative to nonlinear curve fitting. NOSE-PCA is first validated with studies of z-cut quartz, followed by analysis of four thin dye films with similar nonlinear optical properties. The high precision of NOSE measurements combined with the rapid analysis time enabled chemical discrimination between different dyes and the practical realization of NOSE microscopy.

The structure and mechanical properties of collecting lymphatic vessels: an investigation using multimodal nonlinear microscopy

This study employed nonlinear microscopy on fresh, unstained and unfixed collecting lymphatic vessels to determine the wall structure and its relationships to the mechanical properties of the tissue. Fresh bovine mesenteric collecting lymphatic vessels were mounted in a vessel bath and imaged under different luminal pressures (0-30 cmH(2)O pressure head), and longitudinal tensions. The entire wall thickness was imaged, using two-photon fluorescence to visualize elastin, second harmonic generation to image the collagen, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering to image the cell membrane. The adventitial fat cells were coupled to the wall within the elastin-rich network of fibres. The medial smooth muscle cells were too densely packed to resolve the boundaries of individual cells in en face images, but in tissue sections their appearance was consistent with electron microscopic data. Two distinct populations of collagen fibre were revealed. Large fibre (15-25 microm diameter) bundles were present in the inner media and small fibres (2-5 microm diameter) were distributed throughout the wall. The responses to longitudinal tension and luminal pressure indicated that the larger fibres resist the longitudinal strain and the smaller oppose pressure forces. Individual elastin fibres were of uniform thickness (1-3 microm) and interwove amongst themselves and between the collagen fibres. The network was probably too sparse directly to support mechanical loads and we speculate that its main function is to maintain the organization of collagen bundles during recovery from contraction.

Multimodal CARS microscopy determination of the impact of diet on macrophage infiltration and lipid accumulation on plaque formation in ApoE-deficient mice

We characterized several cellular and structural features of early stage Type II/III atherosclerotic plaques in an established model of atherosclerosis-the ApoE-deficient mouse-by using a multimodal, coregistered imaging system that integrates three nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) contrast mechanisms: coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), second harmonic generation (SHG), and two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF). Specifically, the infiltration of lipid-rich macrophages and the structural organization of collagen and elastin fibers were visualized by CARS, SHG, and TPEF, respectively, in thick tissue specimens without the use of exogenous labels or dyes. Label-free CARS imaging of macrophage accumulation was confirmed by histopathology using CD68 staining. A high-fat, high-cholesterol Western diet resulted in an approximate 2-fold increase in intimal plaque area, defined by CARS signals of lipid-rich macrophages. Additionally, analysis of collagen distribution within lipid-rich plaque regions revealed nearly a 4-fold decrease in the Western diet-fed mice, suggesting NLOM sensitivity to increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and decreased smooth muscle cell (SMC) accumulation. These imaging results provide significant insight into the structure and composition of early stage Type II/III plaque during formation and allow for quantitative measurements of the impact of diet and other factors on critical plaque and arterial wall features.

Multimodal nonlinear optical imaging of atherosclerotic plaque development in myocardial infarction-prone rabbits

Label-free imaging of bulk arterial tissue is demonstrated using a multimodal nonlinear optical microscope based on a photonic crystal fiber and a single femtosecond oscillator operating at 800 nm. Colocalized imaging of extracellular elastin fibers, fibrillar collagen, and lipid-rich structures within aortic tissue obtained from atherosclerosis-prone myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHLMI) rabbits is demonstrated through two-photon excited fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, respectively. These images are shown to differentiate healthy arterial wall, early atherosclerotic lesions, and advanced plaques. Clear pathological changes are observed in the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall and correlated with progression of atherosclerotic disease as represented by the age of the WHHLMI rabbits.

Structural inhomogeneity and fiber orientation in the inner arterial media

The microstructural orientation of vascular wall constituents is of interest to scientists and clinicians because alterations in their native states are associated with various cardiovascular diseases. In the arterial media, the orientation of these constituents is often described as circumferential. However, it has been noted that, just below the endothelial surface, the vascular wall constituents are oriented axially. To further study this reported change in orientation, and to resolve previous observations (which were made under conditions of no load), we used nonlinear optical microscopy to examine the orientation of collagen and elastin fibers in the inner medial region of bovine common carotid arteries. Images were obtained from this part of the arterial wall under varying degrees of mechanical strain: 0%, 10% axial, 10% circumferential, and 10% biaxial. We observed that close to the endothelium these components are aligned in the axial direction but abruptly change to a circumferential alignment at a depth of approximately 20 mum from the endothelial surface. The application of mechanical strain resulted in a significantly greater degree of fiber alignment, both collagen and elastin, in the strain direction, regardless of their initial unloaded orientation. Furthermore, variations in strain conditions resulted in an increase or a decrease in the overall degree of fiber alignment in the subendothelial layer depending on the direction of the applied strain. This high-resolution investigation adds more detail to existing descriptions of complex structure-function relationships in vascular tissue, which is essential for a better understanding of the pathophysiological processes resulting from injury, disease progression, and interventional therapies.

Freeze-thaw induced biomechanical changes in arteries: role of collagen matrix and smooth muscle cells

Applications involving freeze-thaw, such as cryoplasty or cryopreservation can significantly alter artery biomechanics including an increase in physiological elastic modulus. Since artery biomechanics plays a significant role in hemodynamics, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying these changes to be able to help control the biomechanical outcome post-treatments. Understanding of these mechanisms requires investigation of the freeze-thaw effect on arterial components (collagen, smooth muscle cells or SMCs), as well as the components' contribution to the overall artery biomechanics. To do this, isolated fresh swine arteries were subjected to thermal (freeze-thaw to -20 degrees C for 2 min or hyperthermia to 43 degrees C for 2 h) and osmotic (0.1-0.2 M mannitol) treatments; these treatments preferentially altered either the collagen matrix (hydration/stability) or smooth muscle cells (SMCs), respectively. Tissue dehydration, thermal stability and SMC functional changes were assessed from bulk weight measurements, analyses of the thermal denaturation profiles using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and in vitro arterial contraction/relaxation responses to norepinephrine (NE) and acetylcholine (AC), respectively. Additionally, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy was performed on fresh and frozen-thawed arteries to directly visualize the changes in collagen matrix following freeze-thaw. Finally, the overall artery biomechanics was studied by assessing responses to uniaxial tensile testing. Freeze-thaw of arteries caused: (a) tissue dehydration (15% weight reduction), (b) increase in thermal stability (approximately 6.4 degrees C increase in denaturation onset temperature), (c) altered matrix arrangement observed using SHG and d) complete SMC destruction. While hyperthermia treatment also caused complete SMC destruction, no tissue dehydration was observed. On the other hand, while 0.2 M mannitol treatment significantly increased the thermal stability (approximately 4.8 degrees C increase in denaturation onset), 0.1 M mannitol treatment did not result in any significant change. Both 0.1 and 0.2 M treatments caused no change in SMC function. Finally, freeze-thaw (506+/-159 kPa), hyperthermia (268+/-132 kPa) and 0.2 M mannitol (304+/-125 kPa) treatments all caused significant increase in the physiological elastic modulus (Eartery) compared to control (185+/-92 kPa) with the freeze-thaw resulting in the highest modulus. These studies suggest that changes in collagen matrix arrangement due to dehydration as well as SMC destruction occurring during freeze-thaw are important mechanisms of freeze-thaw induced biomechanical changes.

Measurement of the second-order hyperpolarizability of the collagen triple helix and determination of its physical origin

We performed Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) experiments to measure the second-order nonlinear optical response of the collagen triple helix and determine the physical origin of second harmonic signals observed in collagenous tissues. HRS experiments yielded a second-order hyperpolarizability of 1.25 x 10(-27) esu for rat-tail type I collagen, a surprisingly large value considering that collagen presents no strong harmonophore in its amino acid sequence. Polarization-resolved experiments showed intramolecular coherent contributions to the HRS signal along with incoherent contributions that are the only contributions for molecules with dimensions much smaller than the excitation wavelength. We therefore modeled the effective second-order hyperpolarizability of the 290 nm long collagen triple helix by summing coherently the nonlinear response of well-aligned moieties along the triple helix axis. This model was confirmed by HRS measurements after denaturation of the collagen triple helix and for a collagen-like short model peptide [(Pro-Pro-Gly)(10)](3). We concluded that the large collagen nonlinear response originates in the tight alignment of a large number of small and weakly efficient harmonophores, presumably the peptide bonds, resulting in a coherent amplification of the nonlinear signal.

Tactile Mapping System

Objective

We demonstrated that the tactile mapping system (TMS) has a high degree of spatial precision in the distribution mapping of surface elasticity of tissues or organs.

Methods

Samples used were a circumferential section of a small-caliber porcine artery (diameter: ~3 mm) and an elasticity test pattern with a line and space configuration for the distribution mapping of elasticity, prepared by regional micropatterning of a 14-μm thick gelatin hydrogel coating on a polyurethane sheet. Surface topography and elasticity in normal saline were simultaneously investigated by TMS using a probe with a diameter of 5 or 12 μm, a spatial interval of 1 to 5 μm, and an indentation depth of 4 μm.

Results

In the test pattern, a spatial resolution in TMS of <5 μm was acquired under water with a minimal probe diameter and spatial interval of the probe movement. TMS was used for the distribution mapping of surface elasticity in a flat, circumferential section (thickness: ~0.5 mm) of a porcine artery, and the concentric layers of the vascular wall, including the collagen-rich and elastin-rich layers, could be clearly differentiated in terms of surface elasticity at the spatial resolution of <2 μm.

Conclusions

TMS is a simple and inexpensive technique for the distribution mapping of the surface elasticity in vascular tissues at the spatial resolution <2 μm. TMS has the ability to analyze a complex structure of the tissue samples under normal saline.

The elastin network: its relationship with collagen and cells in articular cartilage as visualized by multiphoton microscopy

A combination of two-photon fluorescence (TPF), second harmonic generation (SHG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging has been used to investigate the elastin fibre network in healthy equine articular cartilage from the metacarpophalangeal joint. The elastin fibres were identified using their intrinsic two-photon fluorescence and immuno-staining was used to confirm the identity of these fibres. SHG was used to reveal the collagen matrix and the collagen fibre orientations were determined from their SHG polarization sensitivity, while CARS was used to clearly delineate the cell boundaries. Extensive elastin fibre networks were found in all the joint regions investigated. The elastin was found predominantly in the superficial zone (upper 50 microm) and was aligned parallel to the articular surface. Elastin was also detected in the pericellular matrix surrounding the superficial chondrocytes; however, individual fibres could not be resolved in this region. Variations in the density and organization of the fibres were observed in different regions on the joint surface.