Three-dimensional imaging and analysis of entire peripheral nerves after repair and reconstruction

Abstract

We have presented a potential way for 3D imaging and analysis of entire regenerated nerves non-destructively, paving the way for high-throughput analysis of therapeutic conditions of treating adult nerve injuries.

Microcomputed analysis of nerve angioarchitecture after combined stem cell delivery and surgical angiogenesis to nerve allograft

“…Macrophages play an important role as sensors of hypoxia to induce angiogenesis during this process 37 . In addition, vessels away from the coaptation sites were found to be more organized and less frequently branched 35 . This is in line with our results, specifically in the nerve allografts that have been wrapped with a SIEF flap that was combined with undifferentiated MSCs.…”

“…The organization of vessels in reconstructed nerves has been of interest. Only few studies have explored the 3D microvasculature of peripheral nerves 27,[32][33][34][35] , emphasizing the necessity for imaging of nerve revascularization in conjunction with nerve reconstruction after trauma.…”

“…It has been suggested that the amount of revascularization is enhanced at the sites of nerve coaptation in response to the acute hypoxia during nerve trauma 35,36 . Macrophages play an important role as sensors of hypoxia to induce angiogenesis during this process 37 .…”

Three-dimensional architecture of human diabetic peripheral nerves revealed by X-ray phase contrast holographic nanotomography

“…None of the mentioned articles describe non-myelinated axons, or newly myelinated regenerating nerve fibres as regenerative clusters described in the present nerve biopsies. Furthermore, such a visualization is not possible with described micro-CT techniques due to the lack of resolution [5][6][7][8][9] . With the present technique, we can also visualize nodes of Ranviers and Schmidt-Lantermans incisures with high resolution together with details of intraneural blood vessels.…”

“…A variety of techniques are used to evaluate the macro-and microstructure in health and disease or following trauma of the peripheral nerve 1 . In clinical and experimental studies, the delicate structure of peripheral nerves can be visualized at various resolutions by conventional light and electron microscopy, generating two-dimensional (2D) images of thin tissue slices [2][3][4] , by laboratory source micro-CT [5][6][7][8][9] and synchrotron X-ray phase contrast micro-CT for three-dimensional (3D) imaging [10][11][12] and via other techniques [13][14][15] . To further understand dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system, a more detailed analysis is required to visualize the cellular network and subcomponents of the nerve trunk.…”