Combined multiphoton imaging and biaxial tissue extension for quantitative analysis of geometric fiber organization in human reticular dermis.

ABSTRACT: The geometric organization of collagen fibers in human reticular dermis and its relationship to that of elastic fibers remain unclear. The tight packing and complex intertwining of dermal collagen fibers hinder accurate analysis of fiber orientation. We hypothesized that combined multiphoton microscopy and biaxial extension could overcome this issue. Continuous observation of fresh dermal sheets under biaxial extension revealed that the geometry of the elastic fiber network is maintained during expansion. Full-thickness human thigh skin samples were biaxially extended and cleared to visualize the entire reticular dermis. Throughout the dermis, collagen fibers straightened with increased inter-fiber spaces, making them more clearly identifiable after extension. The distribution of collagen

SUBMITTER: Ueda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6650477 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature