20.500.12556/RUL-176752 3D microstructural characterization of human deep fascia using optical projection tomography, digital light sheet microscopy, and magnetic resonance microscopy Traditional histological methods provide limited insights into the complex 3D microstructure of fascia and its relationship to disease. This study explored the capacity of different 3D microscopy techniques for characterizing the microstructure of fascia lata (FL) and thoracolumbar fascia (TLF). Tissues from four donors were studied using optical projection tomography (OPT), digital light sheet (DLS) microscopy, and magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM). Samples for OPT and DLS were imaged with a custom OPT scanner and the DLS arm of a Leica Stellaris microscope, respectively. MRM was performed using a 9.4T superconducting magnet and an NMR/MRI spectrometer. Reference histological evaluation was performed to guide the interpretation of 3D data. Image analyses were performed using FIJI and Ellipse software. DLS offered superior resolution, but all techniques revealed a trilaminar structure in both fasciae: a thick, collagen-rich intermediate layer flanked by thinner layers with loose connective tissue. The FL intermediate layer was thinner (210.5–258.7μm) with longitudinally oriented collagen, while the TLF intermediate layer was thicker (302.3–343.6μm) with both oblique and longitudinal fibers. The superficial layer in FL was thicker (128.8–161.5μm) than in TLF (84.65–123.10μm) across imaging modalities. The deep layer also varied between fasciae, with 54.3–73.8μm in FL and 44.78–70.30μm in TLF. Layer thickness measurements did not differ significantly across techniques. This study demonstrates the feasibility of different 3D microscopy techniques for visualizing and quantifying fascia extracellular matrix structure and organization, laying the groundwork for future investigations into potential structural alterations in disease. 3D microscopy digital light sheet microscopy extracellular matrix fascia histology magnetic resonance microscopy optical projection tomography 3D mikroskopija digitalna svetlobna mikroskopija zunajcelični matriks fascija histologija magnetnoresonančna mikroskopija optična projekcijska tomografija true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-12-10 15:29:55 2025-12-10 15:30:00 2025-12-12 04:01:44 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 Str. 3037–3049 iss. 11 Vol. 88 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 61 1059-910X 10.1002/jemt.70035 243861251 Microscopy_Res___Technique_-_2025_-_Ugwoke_-_3D_Microstructural_Characterization_of_Human_Deep_Fascia_Using_Optical.pdf Microscopy_Res___Technique_-_2025_-_Ugwoke_-_3D_Microstructural_Characterization_of_Human_Deep_Fascia_Using_Optical.pdf 1 B4040DB54CC3AB734C32653ECFE52854 56b92486c29208565deee35ddcaba03b63423ed4480e549178f215ebae29e605 90b08197-d5d4-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=223316 https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jemt.70035 1 4b73e810-d5d4-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=223313 Medicinska fakulteta 0 0 0