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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Multicolor 3D Printing of Complex Intracranial Tumors in Neurosurgery
Published on: January 11, 2020
Three-dimensional visualization of human brain tumors using the CUBIC technique
Yangyang Xu1, Qi He2, Mengqi Wang1
1Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Abstract:
Application of tissue clearing techniques on human brain tumors is still limited. This study was to investigate the application of CUBIC on 3D pathological studies of human brain tumors. Brain tumor specimens derived from 21 patients were cleared with CUBIC. Immunostaining was conducted on cleared specimens to label astrocytes, microglia and microvessels, respectively. All tumor specimens achieved transparency after clearing. Immunostaining and CUBIC are well compatible in a variety of human brain tumors. Spatial morphologies of microvessels, astrocytes and microglia of tumors were clearly visualized in 3D, and their 3D morphological parameters were easily quantified. By comparing the quantitative morphological parameters of microvessels among brain tumors of different malignancy, we found that mean vascular diameter was positively correlated with tumor malignancy. Our study demonstrates that CUBIC can be successfully applied to 3D pathological studies of various human brain tumors, and 3D studies of human brain tumors hold great promise in helping us better understand brain tumor pathology in the future.
Insights
CUBIC tissue clearing enables 3D visualization of human brain tumors, revealing correlations between microvessel structure and malignancy. This technique enhances understanding of brain tumor pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Tissue clearing techniques are crucial for 3D pathological studies.
- Application in human brain tumors remains limited, hindering comprehensive analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of CUBIC (Clear, Unobtanium-based, Biomolecular Imagers' Compatible) clearing for 3D pathological studies of human brain tumors.
- To assess the compatibility of CUBIC with immunostaining for cellular and vascular components.
Main Methods:
- Human brain tumor specimens (n=21) were processed using the CUBIC tissue clearing method.
- Immunostaining was performed to label astrocytes, microglia, and microvessels within cleared tissues.
- 3D visualization and quantitative morphological analysis of labeled structures were conducted.
Main Results:
- CUBIC successfully rendered all human brain tumor specimens transparent.
- CUBIC demonstrated excellent compatibility with immunostaining protocols for various tumor types.
- 3D spatial morphologies of microvessels, astrocytes, and microglia were clearly visualized and quantified.
- Mean vascular diameter positively correlated with tumor malignancy, suggesting its utility as a biomarker.
Conclusions:
- CUBIC is a viable and effective technique for 3D pathological studies of diverse human brain tumors.
- 3D analysis of brain tumors using CUBIC offers significant potential for advancing our understanding of tumor pathology and progression.
