title: Towards 3-D modelling of epithelia by computer simulation.
abstract: The present work is a preliminary step towards dynamic 3-D modelling by computer graphics simulation of the structure of normal and pathological epithelia, using an expert system. In its present state, Esexsy (Epithelium Simulation by EXpert SYstem) allows the construction, through iterative steps, of a simple 3-D representation of the nasal epithelium, based on the positions, sizes and shapes of nuclei. The iterative process is based on statistical comparisons between distributions of parameter values calculated from real (2-D) histological sections and those issued from an equivalent computer 'section' through the simulated 3-D image. We show the results of attempts at simulating normal, metaplastic and dysplastic states of the nasal epithelium, the latter two being characterized by a progressive architectural disorganization, accompanied by nuclear size/shape alterations. The representation takes into account the size, shape, orientation and spatial arrangement of nuclei, with one or several layers from the basal lamina to the lumen. A modified Poisson point process is used at present to position the nuclei, which are modelled by bi-axial spheroids (from prolate to oblate through spherical), with random orientation and size/shape deviations. It should be possible to use the same computer program to simulate other types of epithelia and to achieve increasingly realistic representations by incorporating, notably, nuclear deformations and chromatin texture.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microscopie Quantitative en Histopathologie, INSERM U.263, Université Paris 7, France.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Clem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boysen
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rigaut
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008679:Metaplasia; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology