title: Proliferation and apoptosis measurements by color image analysis based on differential absorption.
abstract: Cell proliferation and apoptosis indices are important indicators for the prognosis and treatment of a variety of cancers. A method is described using differential absorption color image analysis to measure proliferation and apoptosis in tumor sections using BrdU (5' bromodeoxyuridine) incorporation and immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxytransferase nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Nuclei were labeled with streptavidin-peroxidase-diaminobenzidine (DAB) secondary detection. The differential absorption method uses a computer-controlled microscope equipped with a tunable filter and digital camera to take advantage of the spectral differences of stained objects of interest. Images collected at defined wavelengths are divided and scaled to form ratio images in which the hematoxylin- or DAB-stained nuclei have intensity ranges far above those of surrounding structures. Using brightness thresholding followed by selection based on nuclear size and shape parameters, binary images were formed of the BrdU/apoptotic-positive tumor and all the tumor nuclei for subsequent counting and calculations of proliferation and apoptotic indices.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacia Corporation, St Louis, Missouri 63198, USA. Richard.L.Ornberg@pharmacia.com
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ornberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D002455:Cell Division; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine