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Sunaguchi N, Yuasa T, Shimao D, Huang Z, Ichihara S, Nishimura R, Iwakoshi A, Kim JK, Gupta R, Ando M. Phase-contrast visualization of human tissues using superimposed wavefront imaging of diffraction-enhanced x-rays. Med Phys 2024. [PMID: 39088789 DOI: 10.1002/mp.17336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) using high-brilliance, synchrotron-generated x-rays enable three-dimensional (3D) visualization of microanatomical structures within biological specimens, offering exceptionally high-contrast images of soft tissues. Traditional methods for phase-contrast CT; however, necessitate a gap between the subject and the x-ray camera, compromising spatial resolution due to penumbral blurring. Our newly developed technique, Superimposed Wavefront Imaging of Diffraction-enhanced x-rays (SWIDeX), leverages a Laue-case Si angle analyzer affixed to a scintillator to convert x-rays to visible light, capturing second-order differential phase contrast images and effectively eliminating the distance to the x-ray camera. This innovation achieves superior spatial resolution over conventional methods. PURPOSE In this paper, the imaging principle and CT reconstruction algorithm based on SWIDeX are presented in detail and compared with conventional analyzer-based imaging (ABI). It also shows the physical setup of SWIDeX that provides the resolution preserving second-order differential images for reconstruction. We compare the spatial resolution and the sensitivity of SWIDeX to conventional ABI. METHODS To demonstrate high-spatial resolution achievable by SWIDeX, the internal structures of four human tissues-ductal carcinoma in situ, normal stomach, normal pancreas, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas-were visualized using an imaging system configured at the Photon Factory's BL14B beamline under the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). Each tissue was thinly sliced after imaging, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for conventional microscope-based pathology. RESULTS A comparison of SWIDeX-CT and pathological images visually demonstrates the effectiveness of SWIDeX-CT for biological tissue imaging. SWIDeX could generate clearer 3D images than existing analyzer-based phase-contrast methods and accurately delineate tissue structures, as validated against histopathological images. CONCLUSIONS SWIDeX can visualize important 3D structures in biological soft tissue with high spatial resolution and can be an important tool for providing information between the disparate scales of clinical and pathological imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Sunaguchi
- Department of Radiological and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Yuasa
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Zhuoran Huang
- Department of Radiological and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shu Ichihara
- Department of Pathology, NHO Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Rieko Nishimura
- Department of Pathology, NHO Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akari Iwakoshi
- Department of Pathology, NHO Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Jong-Ki Kim
- Biomedical Engineering and Radiology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Rajiv Gupta
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Masami Ando
- High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Chourrout M, Sandt C, Weitkamp T, Dučić T, Meyronet D, Baron T, Klohs J, Rama N, Boutin H, Singh S, Olivier C, Wiart M, Brun E, Bohic S, Chauveau F. Virtual histology of Alzheimer's disease: Biometal entrapment within amyloid-β plaques allows for detection via X-ray phase-contrast imaging. Acta Biomater 2023; 170:260-272. [PMID: 37574159 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques from Alzheimer's Disease (AD) can be visualized ex vivo in label-free brain samples using synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT). However, for XPCT to be useful as a screening method for amyloid pathology, it is essential to understand which factors drive the detection of Aβ plaques. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that Aβ-related contrast in XPCT could be caused by Aβ fibrils and/or by metals trapped in the plaques. Fibrillar and elemental compositions of Aβ plaques were probed in brain samples from different types of AD patients and AD models to establish a relationship between XPCT contrast and Aβ plaque characteristics. XPCT, micro-Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy and micro-X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy were conducted on human samples (one genetic and one sporadic case) and on four transgenic rodent strains (mouse: APPPS1, ArcAβ, J20; rat: TgF344). Aβ plaques from the genetic AD patient were visible using XPCT, and had higher β-sheet content and higher metal levels than those from the sporadic AD patient, which remained undetected by XPCT. Aβ plaques in J20 mice and TgF344 rats appeared hyperdense on XPCT images, while they were hypodense with a hyperdense core in the case of APPPS1 and ArcAβ mice. In all four transgenic strains, β-sheet content was similar, while metal levels were highly variable: J20 (zinc and iron) and TgF344 (copper) strains showed greater metal accumulation than APPPS1 and ArcAβ mice. Hence, a hyperdense contrast formation of Aβ plaques in XPCT images was associated with biometal entrapment within plaques. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The role of metals in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been a subject of continuous interest. It was already known that amyloid-β plaques (Aβ), the earliest hallmark of AD, tend to trap endogenous biometals like zinc, iron and copper. Here we show that this metal accumulation is the main reason why Aβ plaques are detected with a new technique called X-ray phase contrast tomography (XPCT). XPCT enables to map the distribution of Aβ plaques in the whole excised brain without labeling. In this work we describe a unique collection of four transgenic models of AD, together with a human sporadic and a rare genetic case of AD, thus exploring the full spectrum of amyloid contrast in XPCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Chourrout
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL); CNRS UMR5292; INSERM U1028, Univ. Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Tanja Dučić
- ALBA-CELLS Synchrotron, MIRAS Beamline, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - David Meyronet
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Neuropathology Department, Lyon, France; Univ. Lyon, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL); INSERM U1052; CNRS UMR5286, Univ. Lyon 1; Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Jan Klohs
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Rama
- Univ. Lyon, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL); INSERM U1052; CNRS UMR5286, Univ. Lyon 1; Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Hervé Boutin
- Univ. Manchester, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Shifali Singh
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Synchrotron Radiation for Biomedicine (STROBE); Inserm UA7, Grenoble, France
| | - Cécile Olivier
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Synchrotron Radiation for Biomedicine (STROBE); Inserm UA7, Grenoble, France
| | - Marlène Wiart
- Univ. Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory; INSERM U1060, INRA U1397, INSA Lyon, Univ. Lyon 1, Lyon, France; CNRS, France
| | - Emmanuel Brun
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Synchrotron Radiation for Biomedicine (STROBE); Inserm UA7, Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvain Bohic
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Synchrotron Radiation for Biomedicine (STROBE); Inserm UA7, Grenoble, France
| | - Fabien Chauveau
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL); CNRS UMR5292; INSERM U1028, Univ. Lyon 1, Lyon, France; CNRS, France.
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Barbone GE, Bravin A, Mittone A, Pacureanu A, Mascio G, Di Pietro P, Kraiger MJ, Eckermann M, Romano M, Hrabě de Angelis M, Cloetens P, Bruno V, Battaglia G, Coan P. X-ray multiscale 3D neuroimaging to quantify cellular aging and neurodegeneration postmortem in a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:4338-4357. [PMID: 35852558 PMCID: PMC9606093 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05896-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Modern neuroimaging lacks the tools necessary for whole-brain, anatomically dense neuronal damage screening. An ideal approach would include unbiased histopathologic identification of aging and neurodegenerative disease.
Methods
We report the postmortem application of multiscale X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (X-PCI-CT) for the label-free and dissection-free organ-level to intracellular-level 3D visualization of distinct single neurons and glia. In deep neuronal populations in the brain of aged wild-type and of 3xTgAD mice (a triply-transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease), we quantified intracellular hyperdensity, a manifestation of aging or neurodegeneration.
Results
In 3xTgAD mice, the observed hyperdensity was identified as amyloid-β and hyper-phosphorylated tau protein deposits with calcium and iron involvement, by correlating the X-PCI-CT data to immunohistochemistry, X-ray fluorescence microscopy, high-field MRI, and TEM. As a proof-of-concept, X-PCI-CT was used to analyze hippocampal and cortical brain regions of 3xTgAD mice treated with LY379268, selective agonist of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu2/3 receptors). Chronic pharmacologic activation of mGlu2/3 receptors significantly reduced the hyperdensity particle load in the ventral cortical regions of 3xTgAD mice, suggesting a neuroprotective effect with locoregional efficacy.
Conclusions
This multiscale micro-to-nano 3D imaging method based on X-PCI-CT enabled identification and quantification of cellular and sub-cellular aging and neurodegeneration in deep neuronal and glial cell populations in a transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease. This approach quantified the localized and intracellular neuroprotective effects of pharmacological activation of mGlu2/3 receptors.
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Chourrout M, Roux M, Boisvert C, Gislard C, Legland D, Arganda-Carreras I, Olivier C, Peyrin F, Boutin H, Rama N, Baron T, Meyronet D, Brun E, Rositi H, Wiart M, Chauveau F. Brain virtual histology with X-ray phase-contrast tomography Part II:3D morphologies of amyloid- β plaques in Alzheimer's disease models. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:1640-1653. [PMID: 35414980 PMCID: PMC8973161 DOI: 10.1364/boe.438890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
While numerous transgenic mouse strains have been produced to model the formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in the brain, efficient methods for whole-brain 3D analysis of Aβ deposits have to be validated and standardized. Moreover, routine immunohistochemistry performed on brain slices precludes any shape analysis of Aβ plaques, or require complex procedures for serial acquisition and reconstruction. The present study shows how in-line (propagation-based) X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) combined with ethanol-induced brain sample dehydration enables hippocampus-wide detection and morphometric analysis of Aβ plaques. Performed in three distinct Alzheimer mouse strains, the proposed workflow identified differences in signal intensity and 3D shape parameters: 3xTg displayed a different type of Aβ plaques, with a larger volume and area, greater elongation, flatness and mean breadth, and more intense average signal than J20 and APP/PS1. As a label-free non-destructive technique, XPCT can be combined with standard immunohistochemistry. XPCT virtual histology could thus become instrumental in quantifying the 3D spreading and the morphological impact of seeding when studying prion-like properties of Aβ aggregates in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. This is Part II of a series of two articles reporting the value of in-line XPCT for virtual histology of the brain; Part I shows how in-line XPCT enables 3D myelin mapping in the whole rodent brain and in human autopsy brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Chourrout
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Margaux Roux
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Carlie Boisvert
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Current affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Coralie Gislard
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Ignacio Arganda-Carreras
- University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Cécile Olivier
- Univ. Lyon, CREATIS; CNRS UMR5220; INSERM U1044; INSA-Lyon; Univ. Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Françoise Peyrin
- Univ. Lyon, CREATIS; CNRS UMR5220; INSERM U1044; INSA-Lyon; Univ. Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Hervé Boutin
- Univ. Manchester, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicolas Rama
- Univ. Lyon, CRCL; INSERM U1052; CNRS UMR5286; Univ. Lyon 1; Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Emmanuel Brun
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm UA07 Strobe Grenoble, France
| | - Hugo Rositi
- Univ. Clermont Auvergne, Institut Pascal; CNRS UMR 6602; SIGMA Clermont, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marlène Wiart
- Univ. Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory; INSERM U1060; INRA U1397; Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- CNRS, Lyon, France
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Fabien Chauveau
- Univ. Lyon, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- CNRS, Lyon, France
- These authors contributed equally to this work
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5
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Three-dimensional virtual histology of the human hippocampus based on phase-contrast computed tomography. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2113835118. [PMID: 34819378 PMCID: PMC8640721 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113835118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate multiscale phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography (CT) of postmortem human brain tissue. Large tissue volumes can be covered by parallel-beam CT and combined with subcellular detail for selected regions scanned at high magnification. This has been repeated identically for a larger number of individuals, including both Alzheimer’s-diseased patients and a control group. Optimized phase retrieval, followed by automated segmentation based on machine learning, as well as feature identification and classification based on optimal transport theory, indicates a pathway from healthy to pathological structure without prior hypothesis. This study provides a blueprint for studying the cytoarchitecture of the human brain and its alterations associated with neurodegenerative diseases. We have studied the three-dimensional (3D) cytoarchitecture of the human hippocampus in neuropathologically healthy and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) individuals, based on phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography of postmortem human tissue punch biopsies. In view of recent findings suggesting a nuclear origin of AD, we target in particular the nuclear structure of the dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells. Tissue samples of 20 individuals were scanned and evaluated using a highly automated approach of measurement and analysis, combining multiscale recordings, optimized phase retrieval, segmentation by machine learning, representation of structural properties in a feature space, and classification based on the theory of optimal transport. Accordingly, we find that the prototypical transformation between a structure representing healthy granule cells and the pathological state involves a decrease in the volume of granule cell nuclei, as well as an increase in the electron density and its spatial heterogeneity. The latter can be explained by a higher ratio of heterochromatin to euchromatin. Similarly, many other structural properties can be derived from the data, reflecting both the natural polydispersity of the hippocampal cytoarchitecture between different individuals in the physiological context and the structural effects associated with AD pathology.
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6
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Romano M, Bravin A, Mittone A, Eckhardt A, Barbone GE, Sancey L, Dinkel J, Bartzsch S, Ricke J, Alunni-Fabbroni M, Hirner-Eppeneder H, Karpov D, Giannini C, Bunk O, Bouchet A, Ruf V, Giese A, Coan P. A Multi-Scale and Multi-Technique Approach for the Characterization of the Effects of Spatially Fractionated X-ray Radiation Therapies in a Preclinical Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194953. [PMID: 34638437 PMCID: PMC8507698 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to use a multi-technique approach to detect the effects of spatially fractionated X-ray Microbeam (MRT) and Minibeam Radiation Therapy (MB) and to compare them to seamless Broad Beam (BB) irradiation. Healthy- and Glioblastoma (GBM)-bearing male Fischer rats were irradiated in-vivo on the right brain hemisphere with MRT, MB and BB delivering three different doses for each irradiation geometry. Brains were analyzed post mortem by multi-scale X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging-Computed Tomography (XPCI-CT), histology, immunohistochemistry, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS). XPCI-CT discriminates with high sensitivity the effects of MRT, MB and BB irradiations on both healthy and GBM-bearing brains producing a first-time 3D visualization and morphological analysis of the radio-induced lesions, MRT and MB induced tissue ablations, the presence of hyperdense deposits within specific areas of the brain and tumor evolution or regression with respect to the evaluation made few days post-irradiation with an in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging session. Histology, immunohistochemistry, SAXS/WAXS and XRF allowed identification and classification of these deposits as hydroxyapatite crystals with the coexistence of Ca, P and Fe mineralization, and the multi-technique approach enabled the realization, for the first time, of the map of the differential radiosensitivity of the different brain areas treated with MRT and MB. 3D XPCI-CT datasets enabled also the quantification of tumor volumes and Ca/Fe deposits and their full-organ visualization. The multi-scale and multi-technique approach enabled a detailed visualization and classification in 3D of the radio-induced effects on brain tissues bringing new essential information towards the clinical implementation of the MRT and MB radiation therapy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariele Romano
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Am Coulombwall 1, München, 85748 Garching, Germany; (M.R.); (A.E.); (G.E.B.)
| | - Alberto Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France; (A.B.); (A.M.); (D.K.)
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Mittone
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France; (A.B.); (A.M.); (D.K.)
- CELLS-ALBA Synchrotron, 08290 Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Alicia Eckhardt
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Am Coulombwall 1, München, 85748 Garching, Germany; (M.R.); (A.E.); (G.E.B.)
| | - Giacomo E. Barbone
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Am Coulombwall 1, München, 85748 Garching, Germany; (M.R.); (A.E.); (G.E.B.)
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.D.); (J.R.); (M.A.-F.); (H.H.-E.)
| | - Lucie Sancey
- Centre de Recherche UGA/INSERM U1209/CNRS UMR5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38700 La Tronche, France;
| | - Julien Dinkel
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.D.); (J.R.); (M.A.-F.); (H.H.-E.)
| | - Stefan Bartzsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Department of Radiation Sciences (DRS), Institute of Radiation Medicine (IRM), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jens Ricke
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.D.); (J.R.); (M.A.-F.); (H.H.-E.)
| | - Marianna Alunni-Fabbroni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.D.); (J.R.); (M.A.-F.); (H.H.-E.)
| | - Heidrun Hirner-Eppeneder
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.D.); (J.R.); (M.A.-F.); (H.H.-E.)
| | - Dmitry Karpov
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France; (A.B.); (A.M.); (D.K.)
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland;
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Oliver Bunk
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland;
| | - Audrey Bouchet
- Inserm U1296 Unit “Radiation: Defense, Health Environment”, 69008 Lyon, France;
| | - Viktoria Ruf
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (V.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Armin Giese
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (V.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Paola Coan
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Am Coulombwall 1, München, 85748 Garching, Germany; (M.R.); (A.E.); (G.E.B.)
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.D.); (J.R.); (M.A.-F.); (H.H.-E.)
- Correspondence:
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Rodrigues PV, Tostes K, Bosque BP, de Godoy JVP, Amorim Neto DP, Dias CSB, Fonseca MDC. Illuminating the Brain With X-Rays: Contributions and Future Perspectives of High-Resolution Microtomography to Neuroscience. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:627994. [PMID: 33815039 PMCID: PMC8010130 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.627994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The assessment of three-dimensional (3D) brain cytoarchitecture at a cellular resolution remains a great challenge in the field of neuroscience and constant development of imaging techniques has become crucial, particularly when it comes to offering direct and clear obtention of data from macro to nano scales. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electron or optical microscopy, although valuable, still face some issues such as the lack of contrast and extensive sample preparation protocols. In this context, x-ray microtomography (μCT) has become a promising non-destructive tool for imaging a broad range of samples, from dense materials to soft biological specimens. It is a new supplemental method to be explored for deciphering the cytoarchitecture and connectivity of the brain. This review aims to bring together published works using x-ray μCT in neurobiology in order to discuss the achievements made so far and the future of this technique for neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulla Vieira Rodrigues
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Katiane Tostes
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Pelegrini Bosque
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - João Vitor Pereira de Godoy
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Dionisio Pedro Amorim Neto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Carlos Sato Baraldi Dias
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Castro Fonseca
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
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Contrast enhanced X-ray computed tomography imaging of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer disease rat model on lab based micro CT system. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5999. [PMID: 33727592 PMCID: PMC7966753 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84579-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid plaques are small (~ 50 μm), highly-dense aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein in brain tissue, supposed to play a key role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Plaques´ in vivo detection, spatial distribution and quantitative characterization could be an essential marker in diagnostics and evaluation of AD progress. However, current imaging methods in clinics possess substantial limits in sensitivity towards Aβ plaques to play a considerable role in AD screening. Contrast enhanced X-ray micro computed tomography (micro CT) is an emerging highly sensitive imaging technique capable of high resolution visualization of rodent brain. In this study we show the absorption based contrast enhanced X-ray micro CT imaging is viable method for detection and 3D analysis of Aβ plaques in transgenic rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease. Using iodine contrasted brain tissue isolated from the Tg-F344-AD rat model we show the micro CT imaging is capable of precise imaging of Aβ plaques, making possible to further analyze various aspects of their 3D spatial distribution and other properties.
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Li P, Xu Y, Cao Y, Wu T. 3D Digital Anatomic Angioarchitecture of the Rat Spinal Cord: A Synchrotron Radiation Micro-CT Study. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:41. [PMID: 32792915 PMCID: PMC7387706 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive analysis of 3D angioarchitecture within the intact rat spinal cord remains technically challenging due to its sophisticated anatomical properties. In this study, we aim to present a framework for ultrahigh-resolution digitalized mapping of the normal rat spinal cord angioarchitecture and to determine the physiological parameters using synchrotron radiation micro-CT (SRμCT). Male SD rats were used in this ex vivo study. After a proportional mixture of contrast agents perfusion, the intact spinal cord covered the cervical spinal from the upper of the 1st cervical vertebra to the 5th lumbar vertebra was harvested and cut into proper lengths within three distinct regions: Cervical 3–5 levels, Thoracic 10–12 levels, Lumbar 3–5 levels spinal cord and examined using SRμCT. This method enabled the replication of the complicated microvasculature network of the normal rat spinal cord at the ultrahigh-resolution level, allowing for the precise quantitative analysis of the vascular morphological difference among cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord in a 3D manner. Apart from a series of delicate 3D digital anatomical maps of the rat spinal cord angioarchitecture ranging from the cervical and thoracic to the lumbar spinal cord were presented, the 3D reconstruction data of SRμCT made the 3D printing of the spinal cord targeted selected microvasculature reality, that possibly provided deep insight into the nature and role of spinal cord intricate angioarchitecture. Our data proposed a new approach to outline systematic visual and quantitative evaluations on the 3D arrangement of the entire hierarchical microvasculature of the normal rat spinal cord at ultrahigh resolution. The technique may have great potential and become useful for future research on the poorly understood nature and function of the neurovascular interaction, particularly to investigate their pathology changes in various models of neurovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Early Life Development and Disease Prevention, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tianding Wu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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10
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Bukreeva I, Asadchikov V, Buzmakov A, Chukalina M, Ingacheva A, Korolev NA, Bravin A, Mittone A, Biella GEM, Sierra A, Brun F, Massimi L, Fratini M, Cedola A. High resolution 3D visualization of the spinal cord in a post-mortem murine model. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:2235-2253. [PMID: 32341880 PMCID: PMC7173906 DOI: 10.1364/boe.386837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A crucial issue in the development of therapies to treat pathologies of the central nervous system is represented by the availability of non-invasive methods to study the three-dimensional morphology of spinal cord, with a resolution able to characterize its complex vascular and neuronal organization. X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography enables a high-quality, 3D visualization of both the vascular and neuronal network simultaneously without the need of contrast agents, destructive sample preparations or sectioning. Until now, high resolution investigations of the post-mortem spinal cord in murine models have mostly been performed in spinal cords removed from the spinal canal. We present here post-mortem phase contrast micro-tomography images reconstructed using advanced computational tools to obtain high-resolution and high-contrast 3D images of the fixed spinal cord without removing the bones and preserving the richness of micro-details available when measuring exposed spinal cords. We believe that it represents a significant step toward the in-vivo application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Bukreeva
- Institute of Nanotechnology- CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Italy
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute, RAS, Leninsky pr., 53, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor Asadchikov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Leninsky prosp., 59, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Buzmakov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Leninsky prosp., 59, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Chukalina
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Leninsky prosp., 59, Moscow, Russia
- Intitute for Information Transmission Problems RAS, Bolshoi Karetny per, 9, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasya Ingacheva
- Intitute for Information Transmission Problems RAS, Bolshoi Karetny per, 9, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay A. Korolev
- National Research Nuclear University /Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Kashirskoye Highway, 31 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alberto Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble, France
| | - Alberto Mittone
- CELLS - ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Carrer de la Llum, 2-26, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alejandra Sierra
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Francesco Brun
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio, 6/1 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Michela Fratini
- Institute of Nanotechnology- CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.C.S., Via Ardeatina 306, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessia Cedola
- Institute of Nanotechnology- CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Italy
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11
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Correlative x-ray phase-contrast tomography and histology of human brain tissue affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroimage 2020; 210:116523. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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12
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Ghammraoui B, Badano A. Identification of amyloid plaques in the brain using an x-ray photon-counting strip detector. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228720. [PMID: 32045461 PMCID: PMC7012405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain aggregates of β amyloid (βA) protein plaques have been widely recognized as associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, and their identification can assist in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. We investigate the feasibility of using a spectral x-ray coherent scatter system with a silicon strip photon-counting detector for identifying brain βA protein plaques. This approach is based on differences in the structure of amyloid, white and grey matter in the brain. We simulated an energy- and angular-dispersive X-ray diffraction system with an x-ray pencil beam and Silicon strip sensor, energy-resolving detectors. The polychromatic beam is geometrically focused toward a region of interest in the brain. First, the open-source MC-GPU code for Monte Carlo transport was modified to accommodate the detector model. Second, brain phantoms with and without βA were simulated to assess the method and determine the radiation dose required to obtain acceptable statistical power. For βA targets of 3, 4 and 5 mm sizes in a 15-cm brain model, the required incident exposure was about 0.44 mR from a 60 kVp tungsten spectrum and 3.5 mm of added aluminum filtration. The results suggest that the proposed x-ray coherent scatter technique enables the use of high energy x-ray spectra and therefore has the potential to be used for accurate in vivo detection and quantification of βA in the brain within acceptable radiation dose levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahaa Ghammraoui
- Division of Imaging, Diagnostics and Software Reliability, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, CDRH/FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Aldo Badano
- Division of Imaging, Diagnostics and Software Reliability, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, CDRH/FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
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13
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Cao Y, Zhang M, Ding H, Chen Z, Tang B, Wu T, Xiao B, Duan C, Ni S, Jiang L, Luo Z, Li C, Zhao J, Liao S, Yin X, Fu Y, Xiao T, Lu H, Hu J. Synchrotron radiation micro-tomography for high-resolution neurovascular network morphology investigation. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:607-618. [PMID: 31074423 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519003060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There has been increasing interest in using high-resolution micro-tomography to investigate the morphology of neurovascular networks in the central nervous system, which remain difficult to characterize due to their microscopic size as well as their delicate and complex 3D structure. Synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging, which has emerged as a cutting-edge imaging technology with a high spatial resolution, provides a novel platform for the non-destructive imaging of microvasculature networks at a sub-micrometre scale. When coupled with computed tomography, this technique allows the characterization of the 3D morphology of vasculature. The current review focuses on recent progress in developing synchrotron radiation methodology and its application in probing neurovascular networks, especially the pathological changes associated with vascular abnormalities in various model systems. Furthermore, this tool represents a powerful imaging modality that improves our understanding of the complex biological interactions between vascular function and neuronal activity in both physiological and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Ding
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuohui Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianding Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyue Duan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangfei Ni
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyuan Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixiang Luo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyun Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenghui Liao
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianzhen Yin
- Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yalan Fu
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility/Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 21204, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiqiao Xiao
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility/Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 21204, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
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14
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Albers J, Pacilé S, Markus MA, Wiart M, Vande Velde G, Tromba G, Dullin C. X-ray-Based 3D Virtual Histology-Adding the Next Dimension to Histological Analysis. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:732-741. [PMID: 29968183 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-018-1246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Histology and immunohistochemistry of thin tissue sections have been the standard diagnostic procedure in many diseases for decades. This method is highly specific for particular tissue regions or cells, but mechanical sectioning of the specimens is required, which destroys the sample in the process and can lead to non-uniform tissue deformations. In addition, regions of interest cannot be located beforehand and the analysis is intrinsically two-dimensional. Micro X-ray computed tomography (μCT) on the other hand can provide 3D images at high resolution and allows for quantification of tissue structures, as well as the localization of small regions of interest. These advantages advocate the use of μCT for virtual histology tool with or without subsequent classical histology. This review summarizes the most recent examples of virtual histology and provides currently known possibilities of improving contrast and resolution of μCT. Following a background in μCT imaging, ex vivo staining procedures for contrast enhancement are presented as well as label-free virtual histology approaches and the technologies, which could rapidly advance it, such as phase-contrast CT. Novel approaches such as zoom tomography and nanoparticulate contrast agents will also be considered. The current evidence suggests that virtual histology may present a valuable addition to the workflow of histological analysis, potentially reducing the workload in pathology, refining tissue classification, and supporting the detection of small malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Albers
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Pacilé
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - M A Markus
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - M Wiart
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69500, Bron, France
| | - G Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy. .,Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
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15
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Abidin AZ, Deng B, DSouza AM, Nagarajan MB, Coan P, Wismüller A. Deep transfer learning for characterizing chondrocyte patterns in phase contrast X-Ray computed tomography images of the human patellar cartilage. Comput Biol Med 2018; 95:24-33. [PMID: 29433038 PMCID: PMC5869140 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Phase contrast X-ray computed tomography (PCI-CT) has been demonstrated to be effective for visualization of the human cartilage matrix at micrometer resolution, thereby capturing osteoarthritis induced changes to chondrocyte organization. This study aims to systematically assess the efficacy of deep transfer learning methods for classifying between healthy and diseased tissue patterns. We extracted features from two different convolutional neural network architectures, CaffeNet and Inception-v3 for characterizing such patterns. These features were quantitatively evaluated in a classification task measured by the area (AUC) under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve as well as qualitative visualization through a dimension reduction approach t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE). The best classification performance, for CaffeNet, was observed when using features from the last convolutional layer and the last fully connected layer (AUCs >0.91). Meanwhile, off-the-shelf features from Inception-v3 produced similar classification performance (AUC >0.95). Visualization of features from these layers further confirmed adequate characterization of chondrocyte patterns for reliably distinguishing between healthy and osteoarthritic tissue classes. Such techniques, can be potentially used for detecting the presence of osteoarthritis related changes in the human patellar cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Z Abidin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Botao Deng
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Adora M DSouza
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mahesh B Nagarajan
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Paola Coan
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France; Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich Germany
| | - Axel Wismüller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich Germany
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16
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Giuliani A, Mazzoni S, Mele L, Liccardo D, Tromba G, Langer M. Synchrotron Phase Tomography: An Emerging Imaging Method for Microvessel Detection in Engineered Bone of Craniofacial Districts. Front Physiol 2017; 8:769. [PMID: 29085301 PMCID: PMC5649129 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The engineering of large 3D constructs, such as certain craniofacial bone districts, is nowadays a critical challenge. Indeed, the amount of oxygen needed for cell survival is able to reach a maximum diffusion distance of ~150–200 μm from the original vascularization vector, often hampering the long-term survival of the regenerated tissues. Thus, the rapid growth of new blood vessels, delivering oxygen and nutrients also to the inner cells of the bone grafts, is mandatory for their long-term function in clinical practice. Unfortunately, significant progress in this direction is currently hindered by a lack of methods with which to visualize these processes in 3D and reliably quantify them. In this regard, a challenging method for simultaneous 3D imaging and analysis of microvascularization and bone microstructure has emerged in recent years: it is based on the use of synchrotron phase tomography. This technique is able to simultaneously identify multiple tissue features in a craniofacial bone site (e.g., the microvascular and the calcified tissue structure). Moreover, it overcomes the intrinsic limitations of both histology, achieving only a 2D characterization, and conventional tomographic approaches, poorly resolving the vascularization net in the case of an incomplete filling of the newly formed microvessels by contrast agents. Indeed, phase tomography, being based on phase differences among the scattered X-ray waves, is capable of discriminating tissues with similar absorption coefficients (like vessels and woven bone) in defined experimental conditions. The approach reviewed here is based on the most recent experiences applied to bone regeneration in the craniofacial region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Giuliani
- Sezione di Biochimica, Biologia e Fisica Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche e Odontostomatologiche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Serena Mazzoni
- Sezione di Biochimica, Biologia e Fisica Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche e Odontostomatologiche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Luigi Mele
- Sezione di Biotecnologie, Istologia Medica e Biologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Liccardo
- Sezione di Biotecnologie, Istologia Medica e Biologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Max Langer
- Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitment d'Images pour la Santé (CREATIS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 5220, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1206, Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
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17
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Cao Y, Zhou Y, Ni S, Wu T, Li P, Liao S, Hu J, Lu H. Three Dimensional Quantification of Microarchitecture and Vessel Regeneration by Synchrotron Radiation Microcomputed Tomography in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2016; 34:1187-1199. [PMID: 27676128 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2016.4697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A full understanding of the mechanisms behind spinal cord injury (SCI) processes requires reliable three-dimensional (3D) imaging tools for a thorough analysis of changes in angiospatial architecture. We aimed to use synchrotron radiation μCT (SRμCT) to characterize 3D temporal-spatial changes in microvasculature post-SCI. Morphometrical measurements revealed a significant decrease in vascular volume fraction, vascular bifurcation density, vascular segment density, and vascular connectivity density 1 day post-injury, followed by a gradual increase at 3, 7, and 14 days. At 1 day post-injury, SRμCT revealed an increase in vascular tortuosity (VT), which reached a plateau after 7 days and decreased slightly during the healing process. In addition, SRμCT images showed that vessels were largely concentrated in the gray matter 1 day post-injury. The maximal endothelial cell proliferation rate was detected at 7 days post-injury. The 3D morphology of the cavity appears in the spinal cord at 28 days post-injury. We describe a methodology for 3D analysis of vascular repair in SCI and reveal that endogenous revascularization occurs during the healing process. The spinal cord microvasculature configuration undergoes 3D remodeling and modification during the post-injury repair process. Examination of these processes might contribute to a full understanding of the compensatory vascular mechanisms after injury and aid in the development of novel and effective treatment for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cao
- 1 Department of Spine Surgery, Central South University , Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- 2 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, China
| | - Shuangfei Ni
- 1 Department of Spine Surgery, Central South University , Changsha, China
| | - Tianding Wu
- 1 Department of Spine Surgery, Central South University , Changsha, China
| | - Ping Li
- 1 Department of Spine Surgery, Central South University , Changsha, China
| | - Shenghui Liao
- 3 School of Information Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- 1 Department of Spine Surgery, Central South University , Changsha, China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- 4 Department of Sports Medicine, Research Centre of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, China
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18
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Astolfo A, Lathuilière A, Laversenne V, Schneider B, Stampanoni M. Amyloid-β plaque deposition measured using propagation-based X-ray phase contrast CT imaging. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:813-9. [PMID: 27140162 PMCID: PMC5315008 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516004045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid beta accumulation into insoluble plaques (Aβp) is known to play a significant role in the pathological process in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The presence of Aβp is also one of the neuropathological hallmarks for the disease. AD final diagnosis is generally acknowledged after the evaluation of Aβp deposition in the brain. Insoluble Aβp accumulation may also concur to cause AD as postulated in the so-called amyloid hypothesis. Therefore, the visualization, evaluation and quantification of Aβp are nowadays the keys for a better understanding of the disease, which may point to a possible cure for AD in the near future. Synchrotron-based X-ray phase contrast (XPC) has been demonstrated as the only imaging method that can retrieve the Aβp signal with high spatial resolution (up to 10 µm), high sensitivity and three-dimensional information at the same time. Although at the moment XPC is suitable for ex vivo samples only, it may develop into an alternative to positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in Aβp imaging. In this contribution the possibility of using synchrotron-based X-ray phase propagation computed tomography to visualize and measure Aβp on mouse brains is presented. A careful setup optimization for this application leads to a significant improvement of spatial resolution (∼1 µm), data acquisition speed (five times faster), X-ray dose (five times lower) and setup complexity, without a substantial loss in sensitivity when compared with the classic implementation of grating-based X-ray interferometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Astolfo
- TOMCAT Beamline, Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Lathuilière
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Laversenne
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Marco Stampanoni
- TOMCAT Beamline, Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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19
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Xuan R, Zhao X, Hu D, Jian J, Wang T, Hu C. Three-dimensional visualization of the microvasculature of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats by x-ray phase-contrast imaging computed tomography. Sci Rep 2015. [PMID: 26212186 PMCID: PMC4515745 DOI: 10.1038/srep11500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray phase-contrast imaging (PCI) can substantially enhance contrast, and is particularly useful in differentiating biological soft tissues with small density differences. Combined with computed tomography (CT), PCI-CT enables the acquisition of accurate microstructures inside biological samples. In this study, liver microvasculature was visualized without contrast agents in vitro with PCI-CT using liver fibrosis samples induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. The histological section examination confirmed the correspondence of CT images with the microvascular morphology of the samples. By means of the PCI-CT and three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique, 3D microvascular structures in samples from different stages of liver fibrosis were clearly revealed. Different types of blood vessels, including portal veins and hepatic veins, in addition to ductular proliferation and bile ducts, could be distinguished with good sensitivity, excellent specificity and excellent accuracy. The study showed that PCI-CT could assess the morphological changes in liver microvasculature that result from fibrosis and allow characterization of the anatomical and pathological features of the microvasculature. With further development of PCI-CT technique, it may become a novel noninvasive imaging technique for the auxiliary analysis of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijiao Xuan
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Doudou Hu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Tailing Wang
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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Takashima K, Hoshino M, Uesugi K, Yagi N, Matsuda S, Nakahira A, Osumi N, Kohzuki M, Onodera H. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography visualizes the microstructure and degradation profile of implanted biodegradable scaffolds after spinal cord injury. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2015; 22:136-142. [PMID: 25537600 PMCID: PMC4294026 DOI: 10.1107/s160057751402270x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineering strategies for spinal cord repair are a primary focus of translational medicine after spinal cord injury (SCI). Many tissue engineering strategies employ three-dimensional scaffolds, which are made of biodegradable materials and have microstructure incorporated with viable cells and bioactive molecules to promote new tissue generation and functional recovery after SCI. It is therefore important to develop an imaging system that visualizes both the microstructure of three-dimensional scaffolds and their degradation process after SCI. Here, X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography imaging based on the Talbot grating interferometer is described and it is shown how it can visualize the polyglycolic acid scaffold, including its microfibres, after implantation into the injured spinal cord. Furthermore, X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography images revealed that degradation occurred from the end to the centre of the braided scaffold in the 28 days after implantation into the injured spinal cord. The present report provides the first demonstration of an imaging technique that visualizes both the microstructure and degradation of biodegradable scaffolds in SCI research. X-ray phase-contrast imaging based on the Talbot grating interferometer is a versatile technique that can be used for a broad range of preclinical applications in tissue engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Takashima
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato Hoshino
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Uesugi
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Naoto Yagi
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8, Hyogo, Japan
| | | | - Atsushi Nakahira
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kohzuki
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Onodera
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Zhang M, Peng G, Sun D, Xie Y, Xia J, Long H, Hu K, Xiao B. Synchrotron radiation imaging is a powerful tool to image brain microvasculature. Med Phys 2014; 41:031907. [PMID: 24593725 DOI: 10.1118/1.4865784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Synchrotron radiation (SR) imaging is a powerful experimental tool for micrometer-scale imaging of microcirculation in vivo. This review discusses recent methodological advances and findings from morphological investigations of cerebral vascular networks during several neurovascular pathologies. In particular, it describes recent developments in SR microangiography for real-time assessment of the brain microvasculature under various pathological conditions in small animal models. It also covers studies that employed SR-based phase-contrast imaging to acquire 3D brain images and provide detailed maps of brain vasculature. In addition, a brief introduction of SR technology and current limitations of SR sources are described in this review. In the near future, SR imaging could transform into a common and informative imaging modality to resolve subtle details of cerebrovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanyun Peng
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People's Republic of China
| | - Danni Sun
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Xia
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Long
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
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22
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Adlard PA, Tran BA, Finkelstein DI, Desmond PM, Johnston LA, Bush AI, Egan GF. A review of β-amyloid neuroimaging in Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:327. [PMID: 25400539 PMCID: PMC4215612 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. As advancing age is the greatest risk factor for developing AD, the number of those afflicted is expected to increase markedly with the aging of the world's population. The inability to definitively diagnose AD until autopsy remains an impediment to establishing effective targeted treatments. Neuroimaging has enabled in vivo visualization of pathological changes in the brain associated with the disease, providing a greater understanding of its pathophysiological development and progression. However, neuroimaging biomarkers do not yet offer clear advantages over current clinical diagnostic criteria for them to be accepted into routine clinical use. Nonetheless, current insights from neuroimaging combined with the elucidation of biochemical and molecular processes in AD are informing the ongoing development of new imaging techniques and their application. Much of this research has been greatly assisted by the availability of transgenic mouse models of AD. In this review we summarize the main efforts of neuroimaging in AD in humans and in mouse models, with a specific focus on β-amyloid, and discuss the potential of new applications and novel approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Adlard
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bob A. Tran
- Department of Radiology, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - David I. Finkelstein
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Patricia M. Desmond
- Department of Radiology, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Radiology, The Royal Melbourne HospitalParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Leigh A. Johnston
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashley I. Bush
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gary F. Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia
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23
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Ketkar-Atre A, Struys T, Soenen SJ, Lambrichts I, Verfaillie CM, De Cuyper M, Himmelreich U. Variability in contrast agent uptake by different but similar stem cell types. Int J Nanomedicine 2013; 8:4577-91. [PMID: 24399873 PMCID: PMC3876490 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s51588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The need to track and evaluate the fate of transplanted cells is an important issue in regenerative medicine. In order to accomplish this, pre-labelling cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents is a well-established method. Uptake of MRI contrast agents by non-phagocytic stem cells, and factors such as cell homeostasis or the adverse effects of contrast agents on cell biology have been extensively studied, but in the context of nanoparticle (NP)-specific parameters. Here, we have studied three different types of NPs (Endorem®, magnetoliposomes [MLs], and citrate coated C-200) to label relatively larger, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and, much smaller yet faster proliferating, multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs). Both cell types are similar, as they are isolated from bone marrow and have substantial regenerative potential, which make them interesting candidates for comparative experiments. Using NPs with different surface coatings and sizes, we found that differences in the proliferative and morphological characteristics of the cells used in the study are mainly responsible for the fate of endocytosed iron, intracellular iron concentration, and cytotoxic responses. The quantitative analysis, using high-resolution electron microscopy images, demonstrated a strong relationship between cell volume/surface, uptake, and cytotoxicity. Interestingly, uptake and toxicity trends are reversed if intracellular concentrations, and not amounts, are considered. This indicates that more attention should be paid to cellular parameters such as cell size and proliferation rate in comparative cell-labeling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Ketkar-Atre
- Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical Sciences Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Struys
- Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical Sciences Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ; Lab of Histology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stefaan J Soenen
- Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ivo Lambrichts
- Lab of Histology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Catherine M Verfaillie
- Interdepartmental Stem Cell Institute, O&N IV, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcel De Cuyper
- Laboratory of BioNanoColloids, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical Sciences Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Microcomputed tomography with diffraction-enhanced imaging for morphologic characterization and quantitative evaluation of microvessel of hepatic fibrosis in rats. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78176. [PMID: 24205147 PMCID: PMC3804625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgroud Hepatic fibrosis can lead to deformation of vessel morphology and structure. In the present feasibility study, high-resolution computed tomography (CT) using diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) was used to represent three-dimensional (3D) vessel microstructures of hepatic fibrosis in rats and to differentiate different stages of hepatic fibrosis using qualitative descriptions and quantitative measurement of microvessels. Material and Methods Three typical specimens at different stages, i.e., mild, moderate and severe hepatic fibrosis, were imaged using DEI at 15 keV without contrast agents. The correspondence between DEI-CT images and histopathological findings was determined. The 3D visualizations from different stages of hepatic fibrosis were presented using DEI-CT. Additionally, Qualitative descriptions and quantitative evaluation of vessel features, such as vessel trend, vascular distortion deformation, thrombus formation and texture features on the inner wall of the vessel, were performed. Results DEI-CT produced high-resolution images of the vessel microstructures in hepatic fibrosis that corresponded to information on actual structures observed from the histological sections. Combined with the 3D visualization technique, DEI-CT enabled the acquisition of an accurate description of the 3D vessel morphology from different stages of hepatic fibrosis. Qualitative descriptions and quantitative assessment of microvessels demonstrated clear differences between the different stages of hepatic fibrosis. The thrombus inside the vessel of severe liver fibrosis was accurately displayed, and corresponding analysis can provide an exact measurement of vessel stenosis rate. Conclusions DEI-CT may allow morphologic descriptions and quantitative evaluation of vessel microstructures from different stages of hepatic fibrosis and can better characterize the various stages of fibrosis progression using high-resolution 3D vessel morphology.
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25
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Nagarajan MB, Coan P, Huber MB, Diemoz PC, Glaser C, Wismuller A. Computer-aided diagnosis in phase contrast imaging X-ray computed tomography for quantitative characterization of ex vivo human patellar cartilage. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2013; 60:2896-903. [PMID: 23744660 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2013.2266325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Visualization of ex vivo human patellar cartilage matrix through the phase contrast imaging X-ray computed tomography (PCI-CT) has been previously demonstrated. Such studies revealed osteoarthritis-induced changes to chondrocyte organization in the radial zone. This study investigates the application of texture analysis to characterizing such chondrocyte patterns in the presence and absence of osteoarthritic damage. Texture features derived from Minkowski functionals (MF) and gray-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) were extracted from 842 regions of interest (ROI) annotated on PCI-CT images of ex vivo human patellar cartilage specimens. These texture features were subsequently used in a machine learning task with support vector regression to classify ROIs as healthy or osteoarthritic; classification performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The best classification performance was observed with the MF features perimeter (AUC: 0.94 ±0.08 ) and "Euler characteristic" (AUC: 0.94 ±0.07 ), and GLCM-derived feature "Correlation" (AUC: 0.93 ±0.07). These results suggest that such texture features can provide a detailed characterization of the chondrocyte organization in the cartilage matrix, enabling classification of cartilage as healthy or osteoarthritic with high accuracy.
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26
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Marinescu M, Langer M, Durand A, Olivier C, Chabrol A, Rositi H, Chauveau F, Cho TH, Nighoghossian N, Berthezène Y, Peyrin F, Wiart M. Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Phase Micro-computed Tomography as a New Method to Detect Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in the Brain. Mol Imaging Biol 2013; 15:552-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s11307-013-0639-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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27
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Abstract
Acervuli are calcified concretions in the pineal gland (PG). Particularly interesting are their incidence and size, which are believed to affect neurological disorders and many physiological functions of PG such as regulating circadian rhythm. Despite long investigations for a century, detailed growth mechanism of acervuli has yet to be studied. Here we study the growth morphology of acervuli in human PGs by a direct visualization in 3-dimension (3-D) using a synchrotron X-ray imaging method. For an entire PG, non-aggregated acervuli show Gaussian distribution in size with 47±28 µm. The 3-D volume rendered images of acervuli reveal that the bumpy surfaces developed by lamination result in the mulberry-like structure. In addition, coalescence of multiple acervuli leads to large-scale lamination on the whole aggregate. We suggest a novel hypothesis on the growth patterns of acervuli by their nucleation density (Nd): i) mulberry-like structure at low Nd, and ii) large-scale lamination on an aggregate at high Nd.
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28
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Bravin A, Coan P, Suortti P. X-ray phase-contrast imaging: from pre-clinical applications towards clinics. Phys Med Biol 2012; 58:R1-35. [PMID: 23220766 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/58/1/r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Phase-contrast x-ray imaging (PCI) is an innovative method that is sensitive to the refraction of the x-rays in matter. PCI is particularly adapted to visualize weakly absorbing details like those often encountered in biology and medicine. In past years, PCI has become one of the most used imaging methods in laboratory and preclinical studies: its unique characteristics allow high contrast 3D visualization of thick and complex samples even at high spatial resolution. Applications have covered a wide range of pathologies and organs, and are more and more often performed in vivo. Several techniques are now available to exploit and visualize the phase-contrast: propagation- and analyzer-based, crystal and grating interferometry and non-interferometric methods like the coded aperture. In this review, covering the last five years, we will give an overview of the main theoretical and experimental developments and of the important steps performed towards the clinical implementation of PCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 6 rue Horowitz, 38043 Grenoble Cedex, France.
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29
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Pinzer B, Cacquevel M, Modregger P, McDonald S, Bensadoun J, Thuering T, Aebischer P, Stampanoni M. Imaging brain amyloid deposition using grating-based differential phase contrast tomography. Neuroimage 2012; 61:1336-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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30
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Moghbel MC, Saboury B, Basu S, Metzler SD, Torigian DA, Långström B, Alavi A. Amyloid-β imaging with PET in Alzheimer’s disease: is it feasible with current radiotracers and technologies? Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2011; 39:202-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-011-1960-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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Mizutani R, Suzuki Y. X-ray microtomography in biology. Micron 2011; 43:104-15. [PMID: 22036251 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2011.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2011] [Revised: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Progress in high-resolution X-ray microtomography has provided us with a practical approach to determining three-dimensional (3D) structures of opaque samples at micrometer to submicrometer resolution. In this review, we give an introduction to hard X-ray microtomography and its application to the visualization of 3D structures of biological soft tissues. Practical aspects of sample preparation, handling, data collection, 3D reconstruction, and structure analysis are described. Furthermore, different sample contrasting methods are approached in detail. Examples of microtomographic studies are overviewed to present an outline of biological applications of X-ray microtomography. We also provide perspectives of biological microtomography as the convergence of sciences in X-ray optics, biology, and structural analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Mizutani
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, School of Engineering, Tokai University, Kitakaname 4-1-1, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan.
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32
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Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy has the potential to improve the prospect of patients suffering from many untreatable diseases. Applications of stem cells for therapy of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke, are particularly appealing as damage of the central nervous system is irreversible and the efficacy of conventional therapy is limited. Despite a broad interest among researchers and clinicians, progress in this field has been slow due to the remarkable complexity of the brain, which makes the task of repairing damaged tissue with stem cells extremely challenging. Making advances can be expedited by novel technologies that can monitor transplanted cells non-invasively. In vivo cellular imaging allows for the repetitive, real-time observation of targeted cells over the course of treatment without the need for invasive biopsies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent non-invasive cellular imaging modality as it has superior resolution, is widely used clinically, and has no radiation. This technique currently requires magnetic labeling of cells using superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs) and transfection agents. In this chapter, methods for cellular labeling with SPIOs, transplantation of stem cells into the mouse brain, and MR imaging of the cells both in vivo and postmortem will be described. Additional histological and immunohistochemical procedures for analysis of the transplanted cells and the diseased brain environment are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey M Cromer Berman
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, and Cellular Imaging Section, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Delatour B, Epelbaum S, Petiet A, Dhenain M. In vivo imaging biomarkers in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: are we lost in translation or breaking through? Int J Alzheimers Dis 2010; 2010. [PMID: 20953404 PMCID: PMC2952791 DOI: 10.4061/2010/604853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a critical priority to efficiently diagnose the patients, to stage the progression of neurodegeneration in living subjects, and to assess the effects of disease-modifier treatments. This paper addresses the development and usefulness of preclinical neuroimaging biomarkers of AD. It is today possible to image in vivo the brain of small rodents at high resolution and to detect the occurrence of macroscopic/microscopic lesions in these species, as well as of functional alterations reminiscent of AD pathology. We will outline three different types of imaging biomarkers that can be used in AD mouse models: biomarkers with clear translational potential, biomarkers that can serve as in vivo readouts (in particular in the context of drug discovery) exclusively for preclinical research, and finally biomarkers that constitute new tools for fundamental research on AD physiopathogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Delatour
- CRICM-Team "Alzheimer's and Prion Diseases", UPMC/Inserm UMR-S 975, CNRS UMR 7225, G.H. Pitié Salpêtrière, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651 Paris Cedex 13, France
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34
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Gu XM, Jiang ZF, Huang HC. Magnetic resonance imaging of Alzheimer's disease: from diagnosis to therapeutic evaluation. Chin J Integr Med 2010; 16:276-82. [PMID: 20694785 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-010-0276-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating late-life dementia that produces progressive loss of memory and mental faculties in elderly people. It is important to identify the earliest evidence of AD and to monitor the development of this disease for us to make positive response to its management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is powerful to image the tissue or organ without damnification. MRI can be employed to diagnose the early AD development and monitor the key biomarker development in AD. MRI may be helpful not only in diagnosing early AD, but also in evaluating its development. This article reviews the progress of MRI on the diagnosis and detection of AD, and makes comments on its therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-mei Gu
- Beijing Military General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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35
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Characterization of Osteoarthritic and Normal Human Patella Cartilage by Computed Tomography X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging. Invest Radiol 2010; 45:437-44. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e3181e193bd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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36
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Mandel SA, Morelli M, Halperin I, Korczyn AD. Biomarkers for prediction and targeted prevention of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: evaluation of drug clinical efficacy. EPMA J 2010. [PMID: 23199065 PMCID: PMC3405324 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-010-0036-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are considered disorders of multifactorial origin, inevitably progressive and having a long preclinical period. Therefore, the availability of biological markers or biomarkers (BMs) for early disease diagnosis will impact the management of AD and PD in several dimensions; it will 1) help to capture high-risk individuals before symptoms develop, a stage where prevention efforts might be expected to have their greatest impact; 2) provide a measure of disease progression that can be evaluated objectively, while clinical measures are much less accurate; 3) help to discriminate between true AD or PD and other causes of a similar clinical syndrome; 4) delineate pathophysiological processes responsible for the disease; 5) determine the clinical efficacy of novel, disease-modifying (neuroprotective) strategies. In the long run the availability of reliable BMs will significantly advance the research and therapeutics of AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia A. Mandel
- Eve Topf Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Research and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Toxicology and Centre of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ilan Halperin
- The Israeli Psycological Association, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Amos D. Korczyn
- Tel-Aviv University Medical School Sieratzki Chair of Neurology, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
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37
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Connor DM, Hallen HD, Lalush DS, Sumner DR, Zhong Z. Comparison of diffraction-enhanced computed tomography and monochromatic synchrotron radiation computed tomography of human trabecular bone. Phys Med Biol 2009; 54:6123-33. [PMID: 19779219 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/54/20/006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) is an x-ray-based medical imaging modality that, when used in tomography mode (DECT), can generate a three-dimensional map of both the apparent absorption coefficient and the out-of-plane gradient of the index of refraction of the sample. DECT is known to have contrast gains over monochromatic synchrotron radiation CT (SRCT) for soft tissue structures. The goal of this experiment was to compare contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and resolution in images of human trabecular bone acquired using SRCT with images acquired using DECT. All images were acquired at the National Synchrotron Light Source (Upton, NY, USA) at beamline X15 A at an x-ray energy of 40 keV and the silicon [3 3 3] reflection. SRCT, apparent absorption DECT and refraction DECT slice images of the trabecular bone were created. The apparent absorption DECT images have significantly higher spatial resolution and CNR than the corresponding SRCT images. Thus, DECT will prove to be a useful tool for imaging applications in which high contrast and high spatial resolution are required for both soft tissue features and bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Connor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4030 Bondurant Hall, CB 7000, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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