biostudies-literatureMcErlean CMCancer Research UKNHSEPSRCNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)This study benefited from CRUKDept of HealthMRC96-102https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4542549biostudies-literatureUnknown101Methods of monitoring drug toxicity in off-target organs are very important in the development of effective and safe drugs. Standard 2-D techniques, such as histology, are prone to sampling errors and can miss important information. We demonstrate a novel application of optical computed tomography (CT) imaging to quantitatively assess, in 3-D, the response of adult murine spleen to off-target drug toxicity induced by treatment with the vascular disrupting agent ZD6126. Reconstructed images from optical CT scans sensitive to haemoglobin absorption reveal detailed, high-contrast 3-D maps of splenic structure and microvasculature. A significant difference in total splenic volume was found between vehicle and ZD6126-treated cohorts, with mean volumes of 61±3mm(3) and 44±3mm(3) respectively (boMicrovascular researchDetecting microvascular changes in the mouse spleen using optical computed tomography.PMC4542549NF-SI-0512-10162C1060/A1646416464C1060/A10334Collins DJLeach MORobinson SPDoran SJMcErlean CMBoult JKfalseDetecting microvascular changes in the mouse spleen using optical computed tomography.Methods of monitoring drug toxicity in off-target organs are very important in the development of effective and safe drugs. Standard 2-D techniques, such as histology, are prone to sampling errors and can miss important information. We demonstrate a novel application of optical computed tomography (CT) imaging to quantitatively assess, in 3-D, the response of adult murine spleen to off-target drug toxicity induced by treatment with the vascular disrupting agent ZD6126. Reconstructed images from optical CT scans sensitive to haemoglobin absorption reveal detailed, high-contrast 3-D maps of splenic structure and microvasculature. A significant difference in total splenic volume was found between vehicle and ZD6126-treated cohorts, with mean volumes of 61±3mm(3) and 44±3mm(3) respectively (bo2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Sep2025-04-19T08:28:06.809Z2019-03-27T01:57:04ZS-EPMC45425492614211810.1016/j.mvr.2015.06.008