[home] [Personal Program] [Help]

---

Session: Poster session 2 (Odd numbers)
Session starts: Friday 27 January, 10:00
Presentation starts: 10:00

---

Yuanyuan Ma (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Sophie Schilder (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Bonnie Plug (Amsterdam UMC)
Laura van Huizen (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Jan Willem Duitman (Amsterdam UMC )
Teodora Radonic (Amsterdam UMC)
Marie Groot (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Abstract:
Pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disease causing severely disrupted gas exchange and a gradual decline in lung function over time. To further understand the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, 3D lung tissue cultures (3D-LTCs) are excellent model systems to mimic the 3D lung microenvironment structure and dynamics in vivo. So far, real-time fluorescence imaging microscopy has been used to this end. However, fluorescence microscopy requires labelling of the tissue, causing unwanted side effects such as shortening the lifetime of tissue due to reactive oxygen species. Label-free higher harmonic generation microscopy (HHGM) has the advantages of a low and safe laser power and fast imaging speed, and therefore is expected to overcome these limitations. In this study we performed a primary viability test. Mouse 3D-LTCs were cultured in a well maintained environment inside an incubator attached to a microscope and imaged with HHGM for seven days, then the HHGM images were compared with immunohistochemical and histological staining. The HHGM images visualized macrophages, collagen fibers, alveoli, bigger airways, blood vessels and the pleura. The 3D-LTCs stayed viable for about five days after which the proliferation of cells in the 3D-LTCs dramatically decreased and apoptosis increased. This viability test shows that HHGM is a promising tool to study 3D-LTCs. Next, we will image the dynamics between cells and connective tissue in the LTCs, mimic the pulmonary fibrosis process and test therapies, with the ultimate aim of improving therapy of patients suffering from pulmonary fibrosis.