Wu X, Yu Z, Liu N, et al.
Scanning. Date of publication 2012 May 1;volume 34(3):174-80.
1. Scanning. 2012 May-Jun;34(3):174-80. doi: 10.1002/sca.20285. Epub 2011 Sep 6.
Comparison of approaches for microscopic imaging of skin lymphatic vessels.
Wu X(1), Yu Z, Liu N.
Author information:
(1)Lymphology Center of Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,
Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Assessment of skin lymphatic vessels is of great significance in understanding
their roles in many pathological conditions. Our aim was to identify the optimal
approach for investigation of cutaneous lymphatic system. We performed
comparative studies on skin lymphatic vessels using immunohistochemistry of
tissue sections, computer graphic reconstruction method together with
immunohistochemically stained serial sections and whole mount fluorescence in
human lower limb. Lymphatic vessels were identified with podoplanin antibody. The
relative merits and drawbacks of each method in evaluation of structure, spatial
organization, and distribution of cutaneous lymphatic vessels were described.
Immunohistology of tissue sections enabled the investigation of the structure and
distribution of the whole cutaneous lymphatic system in two-dimensional slices,
whereas three-dimensional morphology of only the most superficial lymph capillary
network immediately under the epidermis could be evaluated with the whole mount
technique. Meanwhile, only little segmentation of skin lymphatic vessel from five
immunohistochemically stained serial sections was reconstructed and evaluated due
to expense and special skills required using computer graphic three-dimensional
reconstruction. Furthermore, a great number of artifacts and special skills
required in its processes leaded to less accurate structure of skin lymphatic
vessels. Our findings demonstrated that the use of either of the proposed
techniques alone could not allow a comprehensive analysis of the skin lymphatic
system due to their relative drawbacks. Combination of immunohistology of tissue
sections and three-dimensional whole-mount preparations appears to be the best
candidate for comprehensive evaluation of skin lymphatic system.
© Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DOI: 10.1002/sca.20285
PMID: 21898460 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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