Quantitative Phase Imaging Using Digital Holographic Microscopy Reliably Assesses Morphology and Reflects Elastic Properties of Fibrotic Intestinal Tissue

Bokemeyer A, Tepasse PR, Quill L, Lenz P, Rijcken E, Vieth M, Ding N, Ketelhut S, Rieder F, Kemper B, Bettenworth D (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 9

Article Number: 19388

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56045-2

Abstract

Intestinal strictures are a frequent complication in patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD) and the presence of fibrosis within strictures impacts the therapeutic treatment approach. Here, we evaluate quantitative phase imaging (QPI) using digital holographic microscopy (DHM) for the evaluation of fibrosis within CD strictures. 30 full thickness resection specimens were obtained from non-stenotic and stenotic tissue areas of 15 CD patients. Cryostat sections were analyzed by DHM to measure the spatial distribution of the refractive index (RI) to quantify tissue density. Complementary, histopathological evaluation of H&E staining and immunofluorescence (IF) targeting fibrosis markers served as the gold standard. Moreover, tissue stiffness was evaluated by elastography. RI values assessed by DHM were significantly higher in stenotic compared to non-stenotic tissue areas (p < 0.001). Histopathological analysis using H&E staining and IF confirmed the elevated expression of fibrosis markers in stenotic compared to non-stenotic tissue (all p < 0.001). The RI retrieved by DHM strongly correlated with the amount of fibrosis as determined by IF (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.48). Furthermore, elastography detected a significantly higher tissue stiffness in stenotic as compared to non-stenotic tissue sections (p < 0.001). In conclusion, QPI using DHM accurately assesses fibrotic properties of CD-associated strictures and may improve the characterization of CD strictures.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Vieth Medizinische Fakultät

Additional Organisation(s)

Institute of Pathology

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Münster DE Germany (DE) Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster DE Germany (DE) Cleveland Clinic US United States (USA) (US) The University of Melbourne AU Australia (AU)

How to cite

APA:

Bokemeyer, A., Tepasse, P.R., Quill, L., Lenz, P., Rijcken, E., Vieth, M.,... Bettenworth, D. (2019). Quantitative Phase Imaging Using Digital Holographic Microscopy Reliably Assesses Morphology and Reflects Elastic Properties of Fibrotic Intestinal Tissue. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56045-2

MLA:

Bokemeyer, Arne, et al. "Quantitative Phase Imaging Using Digital Holographic Microscopy Reliably Assesses Morphology and Reflects Elastic Properties of Fibrotic Intestinal Tissue." Scientific Reports 9.1 (2019).

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