Mueller-matrix-based polarization imaging and quantitative assessment of optically anisotropic polycrystalline networks

PLoS One. 2019 May 16;14(5):e0214494. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214494. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

We introduce a Mueller-matrix imaging polarization-based approach for the quantitative digital screening of the polycrystalline structure of fibrillary-based biological tissues in vitro. The morphometric evaluation of histological sections of myocardium was performed utilizing the high-order statistical moments calculated based on the spatial distribution of linear and circular birefringence and dichroism obtained experimentally. We demonstrate that spatial distributions of phase of light and optical anisotropy of scattering inherent to fibrillar networks of myocardium at different necrotic stages can be effectively used as a quantitative marker of stages of myosin fibril degradation. Processing the images of phase of light scattered in biological tissues with high order statistical analysis provides a functional tool for the quantitative characterization of necrotic conditions of the myocardium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Anisotropy*
  • Birefringence
  • Microscopy, Polarization / methods
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myosins / metabolism

Substances

  • Myosins

Grants and funding

This project was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 713606 (MB). Author IM acknowledges support provided by INFOTECH strategic funding from the University of Oulu, MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute) Academic Excellence Project (Contract No. 02.a03.21.0005) and the National Research Tomsk State University Academic D.I. Mendeleev Fund Programme. Author AB acknowledges funding from the Academy of Finland (314369 and 290596).