Three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques (e.g., confocal microscopy) are commonly used to visualize in vitro models, especially microvasculature on-a-chip. Conversely, 3D analysis is not the standard method to extract quantitative information from those models. We developed the mu VES algorithm to analyze vascularized in vitro models leveraging 3D data. It computes morphological parameters (geometry, diameter, length, tortuosity, eccentricity) and intravascular flow velocity. mu VES application to microfluidic vascularized in vitro models shows that they successfully replicate functional features of the microvasculature in vivo in terms of intravascular fluid flow velocity. However, wall shear stress is lower compared to in vivo references. The morphological analysis also highlights the model's physiological similarities (vessel length and tortuosity) and shortcomings (vessel radius and surface-over-volume ratio). The addition of the third dimension in our analysis produced significant differences in the metrics assessed compared to 2D estimations. It enabled the computation of new indices, such as vessel eccentricity. These mu VES capabilities can find application in analyses of different in vitro vascular models, as well as in vivo and ex vivo microvasculature.
A three-dimensional method for morphological analysis and flow velocity estimation in microvasculature on-a-chip
Rota A.;Possenti L.;Rancati T.;Zunino P.;Kamm R. D.;Costantino M. L.
2023-01-01
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques (e.g., confocal microscopy) are commonly used to visualize in vitro models, especially microvasculature on-a-chip. Conversely, 3D analysis is not the standard method to extract quantitative information from those models. We developed the mu VES algorithm to analyze vascularized in vitro models leveraging 3D data. It computes morphological parameters (geometry, diameter, length, tortuosity, eccentricity) and intravascular flow velocity. mu VES application to microfluidic vascularized in vitro models shows that they successfully replicate functional features of the microvasculature in vivo in terms of intravascular fluid flow velocity. However, wall shear stress is lower compared to in vivo references. The morphological analysis also highlights the model's physiological similarities (vessel length and tortuosity) and shortcomings (vessel radius and surface-over-volume ratio). The addition of the third dimension in our analysis produced significant differences in the metrics assessed compared to 2D estimations. It enabled the computation of new indices, such as vessel eccentricity. These mu VES capabilities can find application in analyses of different in vitro vascular models, as well as in vivo and ex vivo microvasculature.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
11311_1242617_Rota.pdf
accesso aperto
:
Publisher’s version
Dimensione
4.56 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
4.56 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.