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Ramella-Roman JC, Mahendroo M, Raoux C, Latour G, Schanne-Klein MC. Quantitative Assessment of Collagen Remodeling during a Murine Pregnancy. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:3536-3544. [PMID: 39310300 PMCID: PMC11413848 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Uterine cervical remodeling is a fundamental feature of pregnancy, facilitating the delivery of the fetus through the cervical canal. Yet, we still know very little about this process due to the lack of methodologies that can quantitatively and unequivocally pinpoint the changes the cervix undergoes during pregnancy. We utilize polarization-resolved second harmonic generation to visualize the alterations the cervix extracellular matrix, specifically collagen, undergoes during pregnancy with exquisite resolution. This technique provides images of the collagen orientation at the pixel level (0.4 μm) over the entire murine cervical section. They show tight and ordered packing of collagen fibers around the os at the early stage of pregnancy and their disruption at the later stages. Furthermore, we utilize a straightforward statistical analysis to demonstrate the loss of order in the tissue, consistent with the loss of mechanical properties associated with this process. This work provides a deeper understanding of the parturition process and could support research into the cause of pathological or premature birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C. Ramella-Roman
- Biomedical
Engineering Department, Florida International
University, Miami, Florida 33174, United States
| | - Mala Mahendroo
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Clothilde Raoux
- Laboratory
for Optics and Biosciences (LOB), École Polytechnique, CNRS,
Inserm, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau 91120, France
| | - Gaël Latour
- Laboratory
for Optics and Biosciences (LOB), École Polytechnique, CNRS,
Inserm, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau 91120, France
- Université
Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91190, France
| | - Marie-Claire Schanne-Klein
- Laboratory
for Optics and Biosciences (LOB), École Polytechnique, CNRS,
Inserm, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau 91120, France
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Howes AM, Dea NC, Ghosh D, Krishna K, Wang Y, Li Y, Morrison B, Toussaint KC, Dawson MR. Fibroblast senescence-associated extracellular matrix promotes heterogeneous lung niche. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:026119. [PMID: 38855444 PMCID: PMC11161856 DOI: 10.1063/5.0204393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Senescent cell accumulation in the pulmonary niche is associated with heightened susceptibility to age-related disease, tissue alterations, and ultimately a decline in lung function. Our current knowledge of senescent cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics is limited, and our understanding of how senescent cells influence spatial ECM architecture changes over time is incomplete. Herein is the design of an in vitro model of senescence-associated extracellular matrix (SA-ECM) remodeling using a senescent lung fibroblast-derived matrix that captures the spatiotemporal dynamics of an evolving senescent ECM architecture. Multiphoton second-harmonic generation microscopy was utilized to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of fibroblast SA-ECM remodeling, which revealed a biphasic process that established a disordered and heterogeneous architecture. Additionally, we observed that inhibition of transforming growth factor-β signaling during SA-ECM remodeling led to improved local collagen fiber organization. Finally, we examined patient samples diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis to further tie our results of the in vitro model to clinical outcomes. Moreover, we observed that the senescence marker p16 is correlated with local collagen fiber disorder. By elucidating the temporal dynamics of SA-ECM remodeling, we provide further insight on the role of senescent cells and their contributions to pathological ECM remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nova C. Dea
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 029012, USA
| | - Deepraj Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 029012, USA
| | - Krishangi Krishna
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Yihong Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Yanxi Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 029012, USA
| | - Braxton Morrison
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 029012, USA
| | - Kimani C. Toussaint
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Michelle R. Dawson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 029012, USA
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3
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McFarlin BL, Villegas-Downs M, Mohammadi M, Han A, Simpson DG, O'Brien WD. Enhanced identification of women at risk for preterm birth via quantitative ultrasound: a prospective cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2024; 6:101250. [PMID: 38070676 PMCID: PMC11032231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, clinicians have relied on medical risk factors and clinical symptoms for preterm birth risk assessment. In nulliparous women, clinicians may rely solely on reported symptoms to assess for the risk of preterm birth. The routine use of ultrasound during pregnancy offers the opportunity to incorporate quantitative ultrasound scanning of the cervix to potentially improve assessment of preterm birth risk. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of quantitative ultrasound measurements at relatively early stages of pregnancy to enhance identification of women who might be at risk for spontaneous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN A prospective cohort study of pregnant women was conducted with volunteer participants receiving care from the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Participants received a standard clinical screening followed by 2 research screenings conducted at 20±2 and 24±2 weeks. Quantitative ultrasound scans were performed during research screenings by registered diagnostic medical sonographers using a standard cervical length approach. Quantitative ultrasound features were computed from calibrated raw radiofrequency backscattered signals. Full-term birth outcomes and spontaneous preterm birth outcomes were included in the analysis. Medically indicated preterm births were excluded from the analysis. Using data from each visit, logistic regression with Akaike information criterion feature selection was conducted to derive predictive models for each time frame based on historical clinical and quantitative ultrasound features. Model evaluations included a likelihood ratio test of quantitative ultrasound features, cross-validated receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS On the basis of historical clinical features alone, the best predictive model had an estimated receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.56±0.03. By the time frame of Visit 1, a predictive model using both historical clinical and quantitative ultrasound features provided a modest improvement in the area under the curve (0.63±0.03) relative to that of the predictive model using only historical clinical features. By the time frame of Visit 2, the predictive model using historical clinical and quantitative ultrasound features provided significant improvement (likelihood ratio test, P<.01), with an area under the curve of 0.69±0.03. CONCLUSION Accurate identification of women at risk for spontaneous preterm birth solely through historical clinical features has been proven to be difficult. In this study, a history of preterm birth was the most significant historical clinical predictor of preterm birth risk, but the historical clinical predictive model performance was not statistically significantly better than the no-skill level. According to our study results, including quantitative ultrasound yields a statistically significant improvement in risk prediction as the pregnancy progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, UIC College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL (Dr McFarlin and Ms Villegas-Downs).
| | - Michelle Villegas-Downs
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, UIC College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL (Dr McFarlin and Ms Villegas-Downs)
| | - Mehrdad Mohammadi
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL (Mr Mohammadi and Dr Simpson)
| | - Aiguo Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA (Dr Han)
| | - Douglas G Simpson
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL (Mr Mohammadi and Dr Simpson)
| | - William D O'Brien
- Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (Dr O'Brien)
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Jennings CM, Markel AC, Domingo MJE, Miller KS, Bayer CL, Parekh SH. Collagen organization and structure in FBLN5-/- mice using label-free microscopy: implications for pelvic organ prolapse. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:2863-2875. [PMID: 38855688 PMCID: PMC11161343 DOI: 10.1364/boe.518976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a gynecological disorder described by the descent of superior pelvic organs into or out of the vagina as a consequence of disrupted muscles and tissue. A thorough understanding of the etiology of POP is limited by the availability of clinically relevant samples, restricting longitudinal POP studies on soft-tissue biomechanics and structure to POP-induced models such as fibulin-5 knockout (FBLN5-/- ) mice. Despite being a principal constituent in the extracellular matrix, little is known about structural perturbations to collagen networks in the FBLN5-/- mouse cervix. We identify significantly different collagen network populations in normal and prolapsed cervical cross-sections using two label-free, nonlinear microscopy techniques. Collagen in the prolapsed mouse cervix tends to be more isotropic, and displays reduced alignment persistence via 2-D Fourier transform analysis of images acquired using second harmonic generation microscopy. Furthermore, coherent Raman hyperspectral imaging revealed elevated disorder in the secondary structure of collagen in prolapsed tissues. Our results underscore the need for in situ multimodal monitoring of collagen organization to improve POP predictive capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Jennings
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew C Markel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Lousiana, USA
| | - Mari J E Domingo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| | - Kristin S Miller
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Carolyn L Bayer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Lousiana, USA
| | - Sapun H Parekh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Jennings CM, Markel AC, Domingo MJ, Miller KS, Bayer CL, Parekh SH. Collagen organization and structure in FLBN5-/- mice using label-free microscopy: implications for pelvic organ prolapse. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.31.578106. [PMID: 38352586 PMCID: PMC10862878 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.31.578106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a gynecological disorder described by the descent of superior pelvic organs into or out of the vagina as a consequence of disrupted muscles and tissue. A thorough understanding of the etiology of POP is limited by the availability of clinically relevant samples, restricting longitudinal POP studies on soft-tissue biomechanics and structure to POP-induced models such as fibulin-5 knockout (FBLN5-/-) mice. Despite being a principal constituent in the extracellular matrix, little is known about structural perturbations to collagen networks in the FBLN5-/- mouse cervix. We identify significantly different collagen network populations in normal and prolapsed cervical cross-sections using two label-free, nonlinear microscopy techniques. Collagen in the prolapsed mouse cervix tends to be more isotropic, and displays reduced alignment persistence via 2-D Fourier Transform analysis of images acquired using second harmonic generation microscopy. Furthermore, coherent Raman hyperspectral imaging revealed elevated disorder in the secondary structure of collagen in prolapsed tissues. Our results underscore the need for in situ multimodal monitoring of collagen organization to improve POP predictive capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M. Jennings
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Andrew C. Markel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Mari J.E. Domingo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Kristin S. Miller
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn L. Bayer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Sapun H. Parekh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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McFarlin BL, Liu Y, Villegas-Downs M, Mohammadi M, Simpson DG, Han A, O'Brien WD. Predicting Spontaneous Pre-term Birth Risk Is Improved When Quantitative Ultrasound Data Are Included With Historical Clinical Data. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:1145-1152. [PMID: 36740462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Predicting women at risk for spontaneous pre-term birth (sPTB) has been medically challenging because of the lack of signs and symptoms of pre-term birth until interventions are too late. We hypothesized that prediction of the sPTB risk level is enhanced when using both historical clinical (HC) data and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) data compared with using only HC data. HC data defined herein included birth history prior to that of the current pregnancy as well as, from the current pregnancy, a clinical cervical length assessment and physical examination data. METHODS The study population included 248 full-term births (FTBs) and 26 sPTBs. QUS scans (Siemens S2000 and MC9-4) were performed by registered diagnostic medical sonographers using a standard cervical length approach. Two cervical QUS scans were conducted at 20 ± 2 and 24 ± 2 wk of gestation. Multiple QUS features were evaluated from calibrated raw radiofrequency backscattered ultrasonic signals. Two statistical models designed to determine sPTB risk were compared: (i) HC data alone and (ii) combined HC and QUS data. Model comparisons included a likelihood ratio test, cross-validated receiver operating characteristic area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity. The study's birth outcomes were only FTBs and sPTBs; medically induced pre-term births were not included. DISCUSSION Combined HC and QUS data identified women at risk of sPTB with better AUC (0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.78) compared with HC data alone (0.53, 95% CI: 0.40-0.66) and HC data + cervical length at 18-20 wk of gestation (average AUC = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38-0.64). A likelihood ratio test for significance of QUS features in the classification model was highly statistically significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Even with only 26 sPTBs among 274 births, value was added in predicting sPTB when QUS data were included with HC data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, UIC College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuxuan Liu
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Michelle Villegas-Downs
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, UIC College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mehrdad Mohammadi
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Douglas G Simpson
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Aiguo Han
- Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - William D O'Brien
- Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Raymond-Hayling H, Lu Y, Kadler KE, Shearer T. A fibre tracking algorithm for volumetric microstructural data - application to tendons. Acta Biomater 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Moghaddam AO, Lin Z, Sivaguru M, Phillips H, McFarlin BL, Toussaint KC, Johnson AJW. Heterogeneous microstructural changes of the cervix influence cervical funneling. Acta Biomater 2022; 140:434-445. [PMID: 34958969 PMCID: PMC8828692 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The cervix acts as a dynamic barrier between the uterus and vagina, retaining the fetus during pregnancy and allowing birth at term. Critical to this function, the physical properties of the cervix change, or remodel, but abnormal remodeling can lead to preterm birth (PTB). Although cervical remodeling has been studied, the complex 3D cervical microstructure has not been well-characterized. In this complex, dynamic, and heterogeneous tissue microenvironment, the microstructural changes are likely also heterogeneous. Using quantitative, 3D, second-harmonic generation microscopy, we demonstrate that rat cervical remodeling during pregnancy is not uniform across the cervix; the collagen fibers orient progressively more perpendicular to the cervical canals in the inner cervical zone, but do not reorient in other regions. Furthermore, regions that are microstructurally distinct early in pregnancy become more similar as pregnancy progresses. We use a finite element simulation to show that heterogeneous regional changes influence cervical funneling, an important marker of increased risk for PTB; the internal cervical os shows ∼6.5x larger radial displacement when fibers in the inner cervical zone are parallel to the cervical canals compared to when fibers are perpendicular to the canals. Our results provide new insights into the microstructural and tissue-level cervical changes that have been correlated with PTB and motivate further clinical studies exploring the origins of cervical funneling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cervical funneling, or dilation of the internal cervical os, is highly associated with increased risk of preterm birth. This study explores the 3D microstructural changes of the rat cervix during pregnancy and illustrates how these changes influence cervical funneling, assuming similar evolution in rats and humans. Quantitative imaging showed that microstructural remodeling during pregnancy is nonuniform across cervical regions and that initially distinct regions become more similar. We report, for the first time, that remodeling of the inner cervical zone can influence the dilation of the internal cervical os and allow the cervix to stay closed despite increased intrauterine pressure. Our results suggest a possible relationship between the microstructural changes of this zone and cervical funneling, motivating further clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Ostadi Moghaddam
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Z. Lin
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - M. Sivaguru
- Flow Cytometry and Microscopy to Omics, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - H. Phillips
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - B. L. McFarlin
- Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois College of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - K. C. Toussaint
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - A. J. Wagoner Johnson
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA,Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,Corresponding author at: 2101A Mechanical Engineering Laboratory MC-244, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
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Salazar Coariti AC, Fabien MS, Guzman J, McGuire JA, De Vita R, Toussaint KC. Fluid mechanics approach to analyzing collagen fiber organization. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2022; 27:016503. [PMID: 35102730 PMCID: PMC8802803 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.27.1.016503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The spatial organization of collagen fibers has been used as a biomarker for assessing injury and disease progression. However, quantifying this organization for complex structures is challenging. AIM To quantify and classify complex collagen fiber organizations. APPROACH Using quantitative second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, we show that collagen-fiber orientation can be viewed as pseudovector fields. Subsequently, we analyze them using fluid mechanic metrics, such as energy U, enstrophy E, and tortuosity τ. RESULTS We show that metrics used in fluid mechanics for analyzing fluid flow can be adapted to analyze complex collagen fiber organization. As examples, we consider SHG images of collagenous tissue for straight, wavy, and circular fiber structures. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study show the utility of the chosen metrics to distinguish diverse and complex collagen organizations. We find that the distribution of values for E and U increases with collagen fiber disorganization, where they divide between low and high values corresponding to uniformly aligned fibers and disorganized collagen fibers, respectively. We also confirm that the values of τ cluster around 1 when the fibers are straight, and the range increases up to 1.5 when wavier fibers are present.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurice S. Fabien
- Brown University, Division of Applied Mathematics, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Johnny Guzman
- Brown University, Division of Applied Mathematics, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. McGuire
- Virginia Tech, Soft Tissue Research: Experiments, Theory, and Computations by Hokies (STRETCH) Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Raffaella De Vita
- Virginia Tech, Soft Tissue Research: Experiments, Theory, and Computations by Hokies (STRETCH) Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Kimani C. Toussaint
- Brown University, PROBE Lab, School of Engineering, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
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Lee HR, Saytashev I, Du Le VN, Mahendroo M, Ramella-Roman J, Novikova T. Mueller matrix imaging for collagen scoring in mice model of pregnancy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15621. [PMID: 34341418 PMCID: PMC8329204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth risk is associated with early softening of the uterine cervix in pregnancy due to the accelerated remodeling of collagen extracellular matrix. Studies of mice model of pregnancy were performed with an imaging Mueller polarimeter at different time points of pregnancy to find polarimetric parameters for collagen scoring. Mueller matrix images of the unstained sections of mice uterine cervices were taken at day 6 and day 18 of 19-days gestation period and at different spatial locations through the cervices. The logarithmic decomposition of the recorded Mueller matrices mapped the depolarization, linear retardance, and azimuth of the optical axis of cervical tissue. These images highlighted both the inner structure of cervix and the arrangement of cervical collagen fibers confirmed by the second harmonic generation microscopy. The statistical analysis and two-Gaussians fit of the distributions of linear retardance and linear depolarization in the entire images of cervical tissue (without manual selection of the specific regions of interest) quantified the randomization of collagen fibers alignment with gestation time. At day 18 the remodeling of cervical extracellular matrix of collagen was measurable at the external cervical os that is available for the direct optical observations in vivo. It supports the assumption that imaging Mueller polarimetry holds promise for the fast and accurate collagen scoring in pregnancy and the assessment of the preterm birth risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Ryung Lee
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, IP Paris, 91128, Palaiseau, France
| | - Ilyas Saytashev
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL, 33174, USA
| | - Vinh Nguyen Du Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL, 33174, USA
| | - Mala Mahendroo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, 75390, USA
| | - Jessica Ramella-Roman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL, 33174, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Tatiana Novikova
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, IP Paris, 91128, Palaiseau, France.
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11
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McGuire JA, Monclova JL, Coariti ACS, Stine CA, Toussaint KC, Munson JM, Dillard DA, De Vita R. Tear propagation in vaginal tissue under inflation. Acta Biomater 2021; 127:193-204. [PMID: 33831574 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Vaginal tearing at childbirth is extremely common yet understudied despite the long-term serious consequences on women's health. The mechanisms of vaginal tearing remain unknown, and their knowledge could lead to the development of transformative prevention and treatment techniques for maternal injury. In this study, whole rat vaginas with pre-imposed elliptical tears oriented along the axial direction of the organs were pressurized using a custom-built inflation setup, producing large tear propagation. Large deformations of tears through propagation were analyzed, and nonlinear strains around tears were calculated using the digital image correlation technique. Second harmonic generation microscopy was used to examine collagen fiber organization in mechanically untested and tested vaginal specimens. Tears became increasingly circular under pressure, propagating slowly up to the maximum pressure and then more rapidly. Hoop strains were significantly larger than axial strains and displayed a region- and orientation-dependent response with tear propagation. Imaging revealed initially disorganized collagen fibers that aligned along the axial direction with increasing pressure. Fibers in the near-regions of tear tips aligned toward the hoop direction, hampering tear propagation. Changes in tear geometry, regional strains, and fiber orientation revealed the inherent toughening mechanisms of the vaginal tissue. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Women's reproductive health has historically been understudied despite alarming maternal injury and mortality rates in the world. Maternal injury and disability can be reduced by advancing our limited understanding of the large deformations experienced by women's reproductive organs. This manuscript presents, for the first time, the mechanics of tear propagation in vaginal tissue and changes to the underlying collagen microstructure near to and far from the tear. A novel inflation setup capable of maintaining the in vivo tubular geometry of the vagina while propagating a pre-imposed tear was developed. Toughening mechanisms of the vagina to propagation were examined through measurements of tear geometry, strain distributions, and reorientation of collagen fibers. This research draws from current advances in the engineering science and mechanics fields with the goal of improving maternal health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A McGuire
- STRETCH Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Jose L Monclova
- STRETCH Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | | | - Caleb A Stine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Kimani C Toussaint
- PROBE Lab, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Jennifer M Munson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - David A Dillard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Raffaella De Vita
- STRETCH Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States.
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Lee W, Ostadi Moghaddam A, Shen S, Phillips H, McFarlin BL, Wagoner Johnson AJ, Toussaint KC. An optomechanogram for assessment of the structural and mechanical properties of tissues. Sci Rep 2021; 11:324. [PMID: 33431940 PMCID: PMC7801423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79602-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural and mechanical properties of tissue and the interplay between them play a critical role in tissue function. We introduce the optomechanogram, a combined quantitative and qualitative visualization of spatially co-registered measurements of the microstructural and micromechanical properties of any tissue. Our approach relies on the co-registration of two independent platforms, second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for quantitative assessment of 3D collagen-fiber microstructural organization, and nanoindentation (NI) for local micromechanical properties. We experimentally validate our method by applying to uterine cervix tissue, which exhibits structural and mechanical complexity. We find statistically significant agreement between the micromechanical and microstructural data, and confirm that the distinct tissue regions are distinguishable using either the SHG or NI measurements. Our method could potentially be used for research in pregnancy maintenance, mechanobiological studies of tissues and their constitutive modeling and more generally for the optomechanical metrology of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - A Ostadi Moghaddam
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - S Shen
- Center for Health, Aging, and Disability (CHAD), College of Applied Health Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - H Phillips
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - B L McFarlin
- Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - A J Wagoner Johnson
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA. .,Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA. .,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - K C Toussaint
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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13
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Lee W, Moghaddam AO, Lin Z, McFarlin BL, Wagoner Johnson AJ, Toussaint KC. Quantitative Classification of 3D Collagen Fiber Organization From Volumetric Images. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2020; 39:4425-4435. [PMID: 32833631 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2020.3018939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Collagen fibers in biological tissues have a complex 3D organization containing rich information linked to tissue mechanical properties and are affected by mutations that lead to diseases. Quantitative assessment of this 3D collagen fiber organization could help to develop reliable biomechanical models and understand tissue structure-function relationships, which impact diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injuries. While there are advanced techniques for imaging collagen fibers, published methods for quantifying 3D collagen fiber organization have been sparse and give limited structural information which cannot distinguish a wide range of 3D organizations. In this article, we demonstrate an algorithm for quantitative classification of 3D collagen fiber organization. The algorithm first simulates five groups, or classifications, of fiber organization: unidirectional, crimped, disordered, two-fiber family, and helical. These five groups are widespread in natural tissues and are known to affect the tissue's mechanical properties. We use quantitative metrics based on features such as preferred 3D fiber orientation and spherical variance to differentiate each classification in a repeatable manner. We validate our algorithm by applying it to second-harmonic generation images of collagen fibers in tendon and cervix tissue that has been sectioned in specified orientations, and we find strong agreement between classification from simulated data and the physical fiber organization. Our approach provides insight for interpreting 3D fiber organization directly from volumetric images. This algorithm could be applied to other fiber-like structures that are not necessarily made of collagen.
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14
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Eekhoff JD, Lake SP. Three-dimensional computation of fibre orientation, diameter and branching in segmented image stacks of fibrous networks. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200371. [PMID: 32752994 PMCID: PMC7482563 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibre topography of the extracellular matrix governs local mechanical properties and cellular behaviour including migration and gene expression. While quantifying properties of the fibrous network provides valuable data that could be used across a breadth of biomedical disciplines, most available techniques are limited to two dimensions and, therefore, do not fully capture the architecture of three-dimensional (3D) tissue. The currently available 3D techniques have limited accuracy and applicability and many are restricted to a specific imaging modality. To address this need, we developed a novel fibre analysis algorithm capable of determining fibre orientation, fibre diameter and fibre branching on a voxel-wise basis in image stacks with distinct fibre populations. The accuracy of the technique is demonstrated on computer-generated phantom image stacks spanning a range of features and complexities, as well as on two-photon microscopy image stacks of elastic fibres in bovine tendon and dermis. Additionally, we propose a measure of axial spherical variance which can be used to define the degree of fibre alignment in a distribution of 3D orientations. This method provides a useful tool to quantify orientation distributions and variance on image stacks with distinguishable fibres or fibre-like structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D. Eekhoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Spencer P. Lake
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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15
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Yoshida K, Jayyosi C, Lee N, Mahendroo M, Myers KM. Mechanics of cervical remodelling: insights from rodent models of pregnancy. Interface Focus 2019; 9:20190026. [PMID: 31485313 PMCID: PMC6710664 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The uterine cervix undergoes a complex remodelling process during pregnancy, characterized by dramatic changes in both extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and mechanical properties. Understanding the cervical remodelling process in a term or preterm birth will aid efforts for the prevention of preterm births (PTBs), which currently affect 14.8 million babies annually worldwide. Animal models of pregnancy, particularly rodents, continue to provide valuable insights into the cervical remodelling process, through the study of changes in ECM structure and mechanical properties at defined gestation time points. Currently, there is a lack of a collective, quantitative framework to relate the complex, nonlinear mechanical behaviour of the rodent cervix to changes in ECM structure. This review aims to fill this gap in knowledge by outlining the current understanding of cervical remodelling during pregnancy in rodent models in the context of solid biomechanics. Here we highlight the collective contribution of multiple mechanical studies which give evidence that cervical softening coincides with known ECM changes throughout pregnancy. Taken together, mechanical tests on tissue from pregnant rodents reveal the cervix's remarkable ability to soften dramatically during gestation to allow for a compliant tissue that can withstand damage and can dissipate mechanical loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Yoshida
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Jayyosi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mala Mahendroo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kristin M. Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Lee W, Toussaint KC. Quantitative analysis of the effect of environmental-scanning electron microscopy on collagenous tissues. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8491. [PMID: 29855602 PMCID: PMC5981445 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental-scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is routinely applied to various biological samples due to its ability to maintain a wet environment while imaging; moreover, the technique obviates the need for sample coating. However, there is limited research carried out on electron-beam (e-beam) induced tissue damage resulting from using the ESEM. In this paper, we use quantitative second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to examine the effects of e-beam exposure from the ESEM on collagenous tissue samples prepared as either fixed, frozen, wet or dehydrated. Quantitative SHG analysis of tissues, before and after ESEM e-beam exposure in low-vacuum mode, reveals evidence of cross-linking of collagen fibers, however there are no structural differences observed in fixed tissue. Meanwhile wet-mode ESEM appears to radically alter the structure from a regular fibrous arrangement to a more random fiber orientation. We also confirm that ESEM images of collagenous tissues show higher spatial resolution compared to SHG microscopy, but the relative tradeoff with collagen specificity reduces its effectiveness in quantifying collagen fiber organization. Our work provides insight on both the limitations of the ESEM for tissue imaging, and the potential opportunity to use as a complementary technique when imaging fine features in the non-collagenous regions of tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woowon Lee
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, 1206 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PROBE Lab, 1206 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
| | - Kimani C Toussaint
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, 1206 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PROBE Lab, 1206 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Affiliate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1406 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Bioengineering, 1270 Digital Computer Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States.
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17
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Sivaguru M, Kabir MM, Gartia MR, Biggs DSC, Sivaguru BS, Sivaguru VA, Fried GA, Liu GL, Sadayappan S, Toussaint KC. Application of an advanced maximum likelihood estimation restoration method for enhanced-resolution and contrast in second-harmonic generation microscopy. J Microsc 2017; 267:397-408. [PMID: 28594468 PMCID: PMC10936585 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy has gained popularity because of its ability to perform submicron, label-free imaging of noncentrosymmetric biological structures, such as fibrillar collagen in the extracellular matrix environment of various organs with high contrast and specificity. Because SHG is a two-photon coherent scattering process, it is difficult to define a point spread function (PSF) for this modality. Hence, compared to incoherent two-photon processes like two-photon fluorescence, it is challenging to apply the various PSF-engineering methods to improve the spatial resolution to be close to the diffraction limit. Using a synthetic PSF and application of an advanced maximum likelihood estimation (AdvMLE) deconvolution algorithm, we demonstrate restoration of the spatial resolution in SHG images to that closer to the theoretical diffraction limit. The AdvMLE algorithm adaptively and iteratively develops a PSF for the supplied image and succeeds in improving the signal to noise ratio (SNR) for images where the SHG signals are derived from various sources such as collagen in tendon and myosin in heart sarcomere. Approximately 3.5 times improvement in SNR is observed for tissue images at depths of up to ∼480 nm, which helps in revealing the underlying helical structures in collagen fibres with an ∼26% improvement in the amplitude contrast in a fibre pitch. Our approach could be adapted to noisy and low resolution modalities such as micro-nano CT and MRI, impacting precision of diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayandi Sivaguru
- Microscopy and Imaging Core Facility, Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
| | - Mohammad M Kabir
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
| | - Manas Ranjan Gartia
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, U.S.A
| | | | - Barghav S Sivaguru
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
| | - Vignesh A Sivaguru
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
| | - Glenn A Fried
- Microscopy and Imaging Core Facility, Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
| | - Gang Logan Liu
- Micro and Nanotechnology Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
| | | | - Kimani C Toussaint
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, U.S.A
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18
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Narice BF, Green NH, MacNeil S, Anumba D. Second Harmonic Generation microscopy reveals collagen fibres are more organised in the cervix of postmenopausal women. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2016; 14:70. [PMID: 27769268 PMCID: PMC5073459 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-016-0204-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During labour, the cervix undergoes a series of changes to allow the passage of the fetoplacental unit. While this visible transformation is well-described, the underlying and causative microscopic changes, in which collagen plays a major role, are poorly understood and difficult to visualise. Recent studies in mice and humans have shown that Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy, a non-destructive imaging technique, can detect changes in the cervical collagen. However, the question of whether SHG can identify changes in the arrangement of cervical collagen at different physiological stages still needs addressing. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the cervical collagen alignment between pre- and postmenopausal women using SHG and to generate proof-of-concept data prior to assessing this technique in pregnancy. METHODS Cervical biopsies from premenopausal (n = 4) and postmenopausal (n = 4) multiparous women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions were cross-sectionally scanned using an upright confocal microscope. SHG images were collected in Z-stacks and qualitatively evaluated using semi-quantitative scoring (0-3 in ascending degree of alignment) by assessors who were unaware of the classification of the SHG images, and quantitatively, using 2D Fourier transformation analysis. The dominant orientation and difference in dispersion of collagen fibres in each z-stack (X ± SD) was calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS Qualitatively, collagen fibres appeared more organised in postmenopausal women, [premenopausal: median 0, range (0-1), postmenopausal: median 1.25, range (1-3); X 2 (df = 5) = 19.35, p = 0.002]. Quantitatively, there was a statistically significant difference in collagen fibre dispersion between premenopausal (5.39° ± 12.68°) and postmenopausal women (-1.58° ± 8.24°), [Welch's t-test (245.54) = 5.54, p < 0.01], with no significant differences in dispersion within each group [premenopausal, Welch's F (7, 57.23) = 1.84, p = 0.098; postmenopausal, Welch's F (7, 57.28) = 1.39, p = 0.23]. CONCLUSION These results suggest an increased alignment of cervical collagen in postmenopausal women which may result in increased stiffness and reduced compliance, confirm that SHG microscopy can provide qualitative and quantitative information about cervical collagen orientation without sample preparation, and support further research to explore SHG as a means of assessing cervical remodelling to predict the timing of term and preterm labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda F. Narice
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Jessop Wing, Sheffield, S10 2SF UK
| | - Nicola H. Green
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ UK
| | - Sheila MacNeil
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ UK
| | - Dilly Anumba
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Jessop Wing, Sheffield, S10 2SF UK
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19
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Yoshida K, Mahendroo M, Vink J, Wapner R, Myers K. Material properties of mouse cervical tissue in normal gestation. Acta Biomater 2016; 36:195-209. [PMID: 26961804 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED An appropriately timed cervical remodeling process is critical for a healthy delivery, yet little is known about the material property changes of the cervix in pregnancy because obtaining human tissue samples is difficult. Rodent models offer advantages including accurately timed pregnant tissues and genetically altered models. Determining the material properties of the mouse cervix, however, is challenging because of its small size and complex geometry. The aim of this study is to quantify cervical material property changes in a normal mouse pregnancy using a microstructurally-inspired porous fiber composite model. We mechanically test intact, whole, gestation-timed mouse cervix by pulling apart tensioned sutures through its inner canal. To interpret our mechanical testing results, we conduct an inverse finite element analysis, taking into account the combined loading state of the thick-walled cylindrical tissue. We fit the material model to previous osmotic swelling data and load-deformation data from this study using a nonlinear optimization scheme, and validate the model by predicting a separate set of deformation data. Overall, the proposed porous fiber composite model captures the mechanical behavior of the mouse cervix in large deformation. The evolution of cervical material parameters indicates that in a normal mouse pregnancy, the cervix begins to soften between day 6 and day 12 of a 19-day gestation period. The material parameter associated with the collagen fiber stiffness decreases from 3.4MPa at gestation day 6 to 9.7e-4MPa at gestation day 18, while the ground substance stiffness decreases from 2.6e-1MPa to 7.0e-4MPa. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Accelerated cervical remodeling can lead to extremely premature births. Little is known, however, about the material property changes of the cervix in pregnancy because pregnant human tissue samples are limited. Rodent models overcome this limitation and provide access to gestation-timed samples. Measuring the material property changes of the mouse cervix in pregnancy is challenging due to its small size and complex geometry. Here, we establish a combined experimental and modeling framework. We use this framework to determine the cervical material property changes throughout a normal mouse pregnancy. We present our experimental methods for mechanically testing whole, intact cervical tissue samples. We fit a porous fiber composite material model to the mechanical data and show that the mouse cervix begins to soften between day 6 and day 12 of a 19-day gestation period.
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20
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Okoro C, Toussaint KC. Experimental demonstration of two-photon Mueller matrix second-harmonic generation microscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:16011. [PMID: 26813082 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.1.016011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuemeka Okoro
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PROBE Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1206 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kimani C Toussaint
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PROBE Lab, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, 1206 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United StatescUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PROBE Lab, Affiliate in the Department of Elect
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21
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McFarlin BL, Kumar V, Bigelow TA, Simpson DG, White-Traut RC, Abramowicz JS, O'Brien WD. Beyond Cervical Length: A Pilot Study of Ultrasonic Attenuation for Early Detection of Preterm Birth Risk. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:3023-9. [PMID: 26259887 PMCID: PMC4593732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical ultrasonic attenuation could identify women at risk of spontaneous preterm birth. During pregnancy, women (n = 67) underwent from one to five transvaginal ultrasonic examinations to estimate cervical ultrasonic attenuation and cervical length. Ultrasonic data were obtained with a Zonare ultrasound system with a 5- to 9-MHz endovaginal transducer and processed offline. Cervical ultrasonic attenuation was lower at 17-21 wk of gestation in the SPTB group (1.02 dB/cm-MHz) than in the full-term birth groups (1.34 dB/cm-MHz) (p = 0.04). Cervical length was shorter (3.16 cm) at 22-26 wk in the SPTB group than in the women delivering full term (3.68 cm) (p = 0.004); cervical attenuation was not significantly different at this time point. These findings suggest that low attenuation may be an additional early cervical marker to identify women at risk for SPTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Women Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Timothy A Bigelow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Douglas G Simpson
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Rosemary C White-Traut
- Department of Women Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jacques S Abramowicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - William D O'Brien
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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22
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McFarlin BL, Balash J, Kumar V, Bigelow TA, Pombar X, Abramowicz JS, O'Brien WD. Development of an ultrasonic method to detect cervical remodeling in vivo in full-term pregnant women. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:2533-9. [PMID: 26004670 PMCID: PMC4526398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether estimates of ultrasonic attenuation could detect changes in the cervix associated with medically induced cervical remodeling. Thirty-six full-term pregnant women underwent two transvaginal ultrasonic examinations separated in time by 12 h to determine cervical attenuation, cervical length and changes thereof. Ultrasonic attenuation and cervical length data were acquired from a zone (Zonare Medical Systems, Mountain View, CA, USA) ultrasound system using a 5-9 MHz endovaginal probe. Cervical attenuation and cervical length significantly decreased in the 12 h between the pre-cervical ripening time point and 12 h later. The mean cervical attenuation was 1.1 ± 0.4 dB/cm-MHz before cervical ripening agents were used and 0.8 ± 0.4 dB/cm-MHz 12 h later (p < 0.0001). The mean cervical length also decreased from 3.1 ± 0.9 cm before the cervical ripening was administered to 2.0 ± 1.1 cm 12 h later (p < 0.0001). Cervical attenuation and cervical length detected changes in cervical remodeling 12 h after cervical ripening administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Women Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jennifer Balash
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Timothy A Bigelow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Xavier Pombar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jacques S Abramowicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - William D O'Brien
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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23
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Chen G, Liu Y, Zhu X, Huang Z, Cai J, Chen R, Xiong S, Zeng H. Phase and Texture Characterizations of Scar Collagen Second-Harmonic Generation Images Varied with Scar Duration. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2015; 21:855-862. [PMID: 26036282 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927615000707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This work developed a phase congruency algorithm combined with texture analysis to quantitatively characterize collagen morphology in second-harmonic generation (SHG) images from human scars. The extracted phase and texture parameters of the SHG images quantified collagen directionality, homogeneity, and coarseness in scars and varied with scar duration. Phase parameters showed an increasing tendency of the mean of phase congruency with scar duration, indicating that collagen fibers are better oriented over time. Texture parameters calculated from local difference local binary pattern (LD-LBP) and Haar wavelet transform, demonstrated that the LD-LBP variance decreased and the energy of all subimages increased with scar duration. It implied that collagen has a more regular pattern and becomes coarser with scar duration. In addition, the random forest regression was used to predict scar duration, demonstrating reliable performance of the extracted phase and texture parameters in characterizing collagen morphology in scar SHG images. Results indicate that the extracted parameters using the proposed method can be used as quantitative indicators to monitor scar progression with time and can help understand the mechanism of scar progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Chen
- 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology,Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Laser and Optoelectronics Technology,Fujian Normal University,Fuzhou 350007,PR China
| | - Yao Liu
- 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology,Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Laser and Optoelectronics Technology,Fujian Normal University,Fuzhou 350007,PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhu
- 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology,Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Laser and Optoelectronics Technology,Fujian Normal University,Fuzhou 350007,PR China
| | - Zufang Huang
- 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology,Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Laser and Optoelectronics Technology,Fujian Normal University,Fuzhou 350007,PR China
| | - Jianyong Cai
- 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology,Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Laser and Optoelectronics Technology,Fujian Normal University,Fuzhou 350007,PR China
| | - Rong Chen
- 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology,Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Laser and Optoelectronics Technology,Fujian Normal University,Fuzhou 350007,PR China
| | - Shuyuan Xiong
- 4Department of Plastic Surgery,Affiliated First Hospital Fujian Medical University,Fuzhou 350005,PR China
| | - Haishan Zeng
- 3Imaging Unit-Integrative Oncology Department,British Columbia Cancer Agency Research Centre,675 West 10th Avenue,Vancouver,BC V5Z 1L3,Canada
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Kabir MM, Inavalli VVGK, Lau TY, Toussaint KC. Application of quantitative second-harmonic generation microscopy to dynamic conditions. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 4:2546-2554. [PMID: 24298415 PMCID: PMC3829549 DOI: 10.1364/boe.4.002546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We present a quantitative second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging technique that quantifies the 2D spatial organization of collagen fiber samples under dynamic conditions, as an image is acquired. The technique is demonstrated for both a well-aligned tendon sample and a randomly aligned, sparsely distributed collagen scaffold sample. For a fixed signal-to-noise ratio, we confirm the applicability of this method for various window sizes (pixel areas) as well as with using a gridded overlay map that allows for correlations of fiber orientations within a given image. This work has direct impact to in vivo biological studies by incorporating simultaneous SHG image acquisition and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M. Kabir
- Photonics Research of Bio/nano Environments (PROBE) Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - V. V. G. Krishna Inavalli
- Photonics Research of Bio/nano Environments (PROBE) Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Tung-Yuen Lau
- Photonics Research of Bio/nano Environments (PROBE) Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kimani C. Toussaint
- Photonics Research of Bio/nano Environments (PROBE) Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Affiliate in the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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