A tube-source X-ray microtomography approach for quantitative 3D microscopy of optically challenging cell-cultured samples

Commun Biol. 2020 Oct 2;3(1):548. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01273-w.

Abstract

Development and study of cell-cultured constructs, such as tissue-engineering scaffolds or organ-on-a-chip platforms require a comprehensive, representative view on the cells inside the used materials. However, common characteristics of biomedical materials, for example, in porous, fibrous, rough-surfaced, and composite materials, can severely disturb low-energy imaging. In order to image and quantify cell structures in optically challenging samples, we combined labeling, 3D X-ray imaging, and in silico processing into a methodological pipeline. Cell-structure images were acquired by a tube-source X-ray microtomography device and compared to optical references for assessing the visual and quantitative accuracy. The spatial coverage of the X-ray imaging was demonstrated by investigating stem-cell nuclei inside clinically relevant-sized tissue-engineering scaffolds (5x13 mm) that were difficult to examine with the optical methods. Our results highlight the potential of the readily available X-ray microtomography devices that can be used to thoroughly study relative large cell-cultured samples with microscopic 3D accuracy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Cells, Cultured / ultrastructure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Stem Cells / ultrastructure*
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • X-Ray Microtomography / methods*