title: Apoptosis- and necrosis-induced changes in light attenuation  measured by optical coherence tomography.
abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to determine optical properties of pelleted human fibroblasts in which necrosis or apoptosis had been induced. We analysed the OCT data, including both the scattering properties of the medium and the axial point spread function of the OCT system. The optical attenuation coefficient in necrotic cells decreased from 2.2 +/- 0.3 mm(1) to 1.3 +/- 0.6 mm(-1), whereas, in the apoptotic cells, an increase to 6.4 +/- 1.7 mm(-1) was observed. The results from cultured cells, as presented in this study, indicate the ability of OCT to detect and differentiate between viable, apoptotic, and necrotic cells, based on their attenuation coefficient. This functional supplement to high-resolution OCT imaging can be of great clinical benefit, enabling on-line monitoring of tissues, e.g. for feedback in cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Freek J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Maurice C G
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Aalders
authors.forename: Andre A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Poot
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vermes
authors.forename: Ton G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D009336:Necrosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence