Numerical metrics for automated quantification of interstitial cell of Cajal network structural properties
Numerical metrics for automated quantification of interstitial cell of Cajal network structural properties
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DOI：
10.1098/rsif.2013.0421
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发表时间：
2013-09-06
影响因子：
3.9
通讯作者：
Cheng, Leo K.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Gao, Jerry;Du, Peng;Cheng, Leo K.
Cajal间质细胞(ICC)网络耗竭已知发生在几种胃肠动力障碍中。虽然共聚焦显微镜可以有效地成像和可视化ICC网络的空间分布，但目前对ICC耗竭的描述仅限于细胞数量和体积计算。ICC网络结构属性的空间变化尚未量化。鉴于ICC产生电信号，网络的组织也可能影响生理。在这项研究中，六个数值度量被用来从共焦图像中自动确定复杂的ICC网络结构属性：密度、厚度、孔大小、重合率、连通性和各向异性。这些指标被验证并应用于概念验证研究，以定量确定5-HT2B受体基因敲除(KO)和正常(Ano1 KO)ICC数量减少的小鼠模型以及出生后ICC网络成熟期间空肠ICC网络的变化。结果揭示了ICC耗竭过程中发生的一种新的重塑现象，即ICC的空间重排和优先的纵向排列。在产后网络中，显示出明显的ICC网络的修剪。这里开发的指标使我们能够对国际商会网络在枯竭和发展过程中可能发生的结构变化进行首次详细的量化分析。
Depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) networks is known to occur in several gastrointestinal motility disorders. Although confocal microscopy can effectively image and visualize the spatial distribution of ICC networks, current descriptors of ICC depletion are limited to cell numbers and volume computations. Spatial changes in ICC network structural properties have not been quantified. Given that ICC generate electrical signals, the organization of a network may also affect physiology. In this study, six numerical metrics were formulated to automatically determine complex ICC network structural properties from confocal images: density, thickness, hole size, contact ratio, connectivity and anisotropy. These metrics were validated and applied in proof-of-concept studies to quantitatively determine jejunal ICC network changes in mouse models with decreased (5-HT2B receptor knockout (KO)) and normal (Ano1 KO) ICC numbers, and during post-natal network maturation. Results revealed a novel remodelling phenomenon occurring during ICC depletion, namely a spatial rearrangement of ICC and the preferential longitudinal alignment. In the post-natal networks, an apparent pruning of the ICC network was demonstrated. The metrics developed here enabled the first detailed quantitative analyses of structural changes that may occur in ICC networks during depletion and development.