Human lung virtual histology by multi-scale x-ray phase-contrast computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biophysics

Background:

• The human lung's primary role is oxygen supply via diffusion through alveolar walls.
• High-resolution X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (XPCT) offers sub-micrometer resolution for biological structures.
• XPCT can reveal 3D lung structure, aiding understanding of physiological and pathological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present synchrotron and laboratory XPCT results of human lung tissue.
• To evaluate various sample preparation protocols for XPCT analysis.
• To demonstrate XPCT's capability in visualizing pulmonary pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized both synchrotron and laboratory X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (XPCT).
• Analyzed postmortem lung tissues, including precision-cut slices, cryogenically fixed, paraffin-embedded, and alcohol-fixed samples.
• Investigated pathological abnormalities such as Lambert's channels and alveolar capillary dysplasia.

Main Results:

• Achieved high image quality with in-house XPCT for FFPE biopsies, applicable to various pulmonary pathologies.
• Synchrotron radiation enhanced contrast, resolving sub-micrometer features down to the sub-cellular level.
• Demonstrated the suitability of diverse preparation protocols, including liquid mounting.

Conclusions:

• XPCT enables identification and detailed study of complex 3D lung structures.
• Visualizing the full 3D structure aids in elucidating physiological functions and pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Synchrotron data validates laboratory protocols and aids in standardizing XPCT methods.