Multi-Scale Investigation of Human Renal Tissue in Three Dimensions.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Pathology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Conventional histopathology relies on 2D imaging, limiting comprehensive tissue analysis.
• Integrating 3D imaging offers a future direction for refining tissue evaluation.
• Current 3D imaging techniques may lack the resolution or accessibility for detailed micro-morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and assess a laboratory-based X-ray imaging method for 3D micro-morphology evaluation of tissue samples.
• To investigate the potential of this new method for diagnosing kidney diseases.
• To establish a non-destructive, multi-scale imaging approach compatible with traditional histology.

Main Methods:

• Developed an in-house X-ray eosin stain for tissue processing.
• Utilized commercial microCT (voxel size [Formula: see text]) for overview scans.
• Employed an in-house NanoCT (voxel size [Formula: see text] to 210 nm) for high-resolution imaging.
• Examined kidney tissue from patients with cystic kidney disease, obstructive nephropathy, and diabetic glomerulopathy.

Main Results:

• Successfully implemented a laboratory-based X-ray method for 3D tissue investigation.
• Achieved isotropic volume information at various resolutions, from microCT to NanoCT.
• Demonstrated precise micro-morphologic investigation compatible with conventional histology.
• Showcased the method's potential in evaluating kidney pathologies.

Conclusions:

• The developed X-ray imaging methodology enables precise 3D micro-morphologic investigation of tissues.
• This versatile, non-destructive, and multi-scale approach is compatible with existing histological techniques.
• Further development may position this method as a valuable tool for advanced multi-modal tissue diagnostics.