TY - JOUR
T1 - 3D multiscale characterization of the human placenta
T2 - Bridging anatomy and histology by X-ray phase-contrast tomography
AU - Reichmann, Jakob
AU - Schnurpfeil, Anne
AU - Mittelstädt, Sylvia
AU - Jensen, Patrick Møller
AU - Dahl, Vedrana Andersen
AU - Dahl, Anders Bjorholm
AU - Weide, Carina
AU - von Campenhausen, Eva
AU - Dejea, Hector
AU - Tafforeau, Paul
AU - Werlein, Christopher
AU - Jonigk, Danny
AU - Ackermann, Maximilian
AU - Engel, Klaus
AU - Gallwas, Julia
AU - Dietz, Alexander
AU - Hasanov, Mir Fuad
AU - Salditt, Tim
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s).
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - The human placenta exhibits a complex three-dimensional (3D) structure with a interpenetrating vascular tree and large internal interfacial area. In a unique and yet insufficiently explored way, this parenchymal structure enables its multiple functions as a respiratory, renal, and gastrointestinal multiorgan. The histopathological states are highly correlated with complications and health issues of mother, and fetus or newborn. Macroscopic and microscopic examination has so far been challenging to reconcile on the entire organ. Here we show that anatomical and histological scales can be bridged with the advent of hierarchical phase-contrast tomography and highly brilliant synchrotron radiation. To this end, we are exploiting the new capabilities offered by the BM18 beamline at ESRF, Grenoble for whole organ as well as the coherence beamline P10 at DESY, Hamburg for high-resolution, creating unique multiscale datasets. We also show that within certain limits, translation to μCT instrumentation for 3D placenta examination becomes possible based on advanced preparation and CT protocols, while segmentation of the datasets by machine learning now remains the biggest challenge.
AB - The human placenta exhibits a complex three-dimensional (3D) structure with a interpenetrating vascular tree and large internal interfacial area. In a unique and yet insufficiently explored way, this parenchymal structure enables its multiple functions as a respiratory, renal, and gastrointestinal multiorgan. The histopathological states are highly correlated with complications and health issues of mother, and fetus or newborn. Macroscopic and microscopic examination has so far been challenging to reconcile on the entire organ. Here we show that anatomical and histological scales can be bridged with the advent of hierarchical phase-contrast tomography and highly brilliant synchrotron radiation. To this end, we are exploiting the new capabilities offered by the BM18 beamline at ESRF, Grenoble for whole organ as well as the coherence beamline P10 at DESY, Hamburg for high-resolution, creating unique multiscale datasets. We also show that within certain limits, translation to μCT instrumentation for 3D placenta examination becomes possible based on advanced preparation and CT protocols, while segmentation of the datasets by machine learning now remains the biggest challenge.
KW - Intact organ imaging
KW - Multiscale imaging
KW - Placenta
KW - Tissue morphology
KW - X-ray phase-contrast imaging
U2 - 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae583
DO - 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae583
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39831153
AN - SCOPUS:85215441729
SN - 2752-6542
VL - 4
JO - Pnas Nexus
JF - Pnas Nexus
IS - 1
M1 - pgae583
ER -