Nondestructive cryomicro-CT imaging enables structural and molecular analysis of human lung tissue

Abstract

The described micro-CT cryostage provides a novel way to study the three-dimensional lung structure preserved without the effects of fixatives while enabling subsequent studies of the cellular matrix composition and gene expression. This approach will, for the first time, enable researchers to study structural changes of lung tissues that occur with disease and correlate them with changes in gene or protein signatures.

Total Airway Count on Computed Tomography and the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Progression. Findings from a Population-based Study

“…We must note that histologic validation of TAC in explanted lung tissue was beyond the scope of this study, but is critical in understanding the factors dominating TAC reduction in patients with varying stages of COPD. Although pathology validation is complex, using a novel approach that links CT to micro-CT and histology in exactly the same ex vivo samples of tissue (25) will enable the investigation of whether small airways disease in the lung's quiet zone (preterminal and terminal bronchioles) is reflected in the more central airways as measured by TAC. We also acknowledge that the longitudinal data collection for this study is still ongoing, and therefore the number of participants with complete longitudinal data (n = 638) was limited as was the longitudinal time frame of approximately 6 years.…”

The cellular and molecular determinants of emphysematous destruction in COPD

“…In future studies, the majority of these problems will be corrected using a novel approach recently reported by Vasilescu et al . 38 from our group that will allow the histology and gene expression profiling studies to be performed on exactly the same samples of tissue.…”

Transcriptional regulatory model of fibrosis progression in the human lung

“…For this study, 2 cores were randomly selected from each of upper, mid, and lower lung regions for 6 samples per lung ( Figure 1, A and B). Frozen lung samples were scanned by microCT (Skyscan 1172, Bruker) using a cooling stage according to a previously established protocol (59). MicroCT scans were set at 40 kV, 226 mA, and 0.5° rotation step at -30°C, with temperature maintained throughout the scan.…”