Visualization and Quantitative 3D Analysis of Intraocular Melanoma and Its Vascularization in a Hamster Eye

Abstract

A tumor vasculature network undergoes intense growth and rebuilding during tumor growth. Traditionally, vascular networks are histologically examined using parameters such as vessel density determined from two-dimensional slices of the tumor. Two-dimensional probing of a complicated three-dimensional (3D) structure only provides partial information. Therefore, we propose the use of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) imaging to analyze the evolution of a tumor vasculature in an experimental ocular tumor model. A Bomirski Hamster Melanoma was implanted in the anterior chamber of a hamster eye. Ultrasound (US) imaging of the same tumor was performed in vivo, and the vascular results obtained using the two methods were compared. Normal ocular tissues, a tumor, and a tumor vascular structure were revealed with high accuracy using micro-CT. The vessels that grew within the tumor were chaotic, leaky, and contained many convoluted micro-vessels and embolizations. They comprised 20–38% of the tumor mass. The blood flow in the larger functional vessels was in the range from 10 to 25 mm/s, as determined by in vivo Doppler US. The micro-CT imaging of the hamster eyeball enabled both qualitative and quantitative 3D analyses of the globe at a histological level. Although the presented images were obtained ex vivo, micro-CT noninvasive imaging is being developed intensively, and high-resolution in vivo imaging is feasible.

Morphological and Chemical Investigation of Ovarian Structures in a Bovine Model by Contrast-Enhanced X-ray Imaging and Microscopy

“…For the staining, some samples were maintained for 24 h in a Lugol’s Solution (I2KI), composed of one part of elemental iodine with two parts of potassium iodide [ 49 , 50 ]. Then they were dehydrated and included in paraffin.…”

The Anterior Eye Chamber as a Visible Medium for In Vivo Tumorigenicity Tests

“… 35-41 Whole-body bioluminescent imaging enables the evaluation of orthoptic tumor growth and metastasis to other organs, 42 which can further be enhanced in combination with micro-computed tomography. 43 Here, we show that the anterior chamber can be used for heterotopic cancer studies as well. Since the anterior chamber is immune permissive, a property termed anterior chamber immune deviation (ACAID) first reported by Streilein in mice, 44-46 human cells can be observed for an extended period in immunodeficient animals.…”

Imaging Hallmarks of Sarcoma Progression Via X-ray Computed Tomography: Beholding the Flower of Evil

“…We may assess the tumor vascular bed structure, model blood flow, analyze the vascular network [ 110 ], determine the type of neovascularization, and estimate how the new therapies can modulate neovascularization. The influence of particular therapeutic interventions on the neovascularization and quantification of changed vessel parameters via micro-CT was shown in studies regarding breast cancer models [ 111 , 112 ], uveal melanoma [ 113 ], and lung cancer [ 114 ]. Interestingly, optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography was also used as a tool for imaging vascular patterning of subcutaneous mouse fibrosarcomas.…”