Simultaneous 3D Visualization of the Microvascular and Neural Network in Mouse Spinal Cord Using Synchrotron Radiation Micro-Computed Tomography
Liyuan Jiang1,2,3,5,6 • Chengjun Li1,2,4,5,6 • Miao Li1,2,4,5,6 • Xianzhen Yin7 • Tianding Wu1,2,4,5,6 • Chunyue Duan1,2,4,5,6 • Yong Cao1,2,4,5,6 • Hongbin Lu3,4,5,6 • Jianzhong Hu1,2,3,5,6
1 Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
2 National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
3 Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
4 Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
5 Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha 410008, China
6 Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha 410008, China
7 Center for Drug Delivery Systems, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
Abstract
Effective methods for visualizing neurovascular morphology are essential for understanding the normal spinal cord and the morphological alterations associated with diseases. However, ideal techniques for simultaneously imaging neurovascular structure in a broad region of a specimen are still lacking. In this study, we combined Golgi staining with angiography and synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRμCT) to visualize the 3D neurovascular network in the mouse spinal cord. Using our method, the 3D neurons, nerve fibers, and vasculature in a broad region could be visualized in the same image at cellular resolution without destructive sectioning. Besides, we found that the 3D morphology of neurons, nerve fiber tracts, and vasculature visualized by SRμCT were highly consistent with that visualized using the histological method. Moreover, the 3D neurovascular structure could be quantitatively evaluated by the combined methodology. The method shown here will be useful in fundamental neuroscience studies.
Keywords
Srlct 3D; High-resolution; Neurovascular; Spinal cord
