title: Simultaneous submicrometric 3D imaging of the micro-vascular network and the neuronal system in a mouse spinal cord.
abstract: Faults in vascular (VN) and neuronal networks of spinal cord are responsible for serious neurodegenerative pathologies. Because of inadequate investigation tools, the lacking knowledge of the complete fine structure of VN and neuronal system represents a crucial problem. Conventional 2D imaging yields incomplete spatial coverage leading to possible data misinterpretation, whereas standard 3D computed tomography imaging achieves insufficient resolution and contrast. We show that X-ray high-resolution phase-contrast tomography allows the simultaneous visualization of three-dimensional VN and neuronal systems of ex-vivo mouse spinal cord at scales spanning from millimeters to hundreds of nanometers, with nor contrast agent nor sectioning and neither destructive sample-preparation. We image both the 3D distribution of micro-capillary network and the micrometric nerve fibers, axon-bundles and neuron soma. Our approach is very suitable for pre-clinical investigation of neurodegenerative pathologies and spinal-cord-injuries, in particular to resolve the entangled relationship between VN and neuronal system.
authors: 1] Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Piazza del Viminale 1, 00184 Roma, Italy [2] Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 84, I-00146 Rome, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Fratini
authors: Institute for Physical and Chemical Process-CNR c/o Physics Department at 'Sapienza' University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Inna
authors: I
authors: Bukreeva
authors: Institute of Crystallography-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Campi
authors: 1] Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio, 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy [2] Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 km 163.5 in Area Science Park - Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Brun
authors: Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 km 163.5 in Area Science Park - Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Giuliana
authors: G
authors: Tromba
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland &Centre d'Imagerie BioMedicale, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Modregger
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Bucci
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Battaglia
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova &AUO San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Spanò
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova &AUO San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors: Maddalena
authors: M
authors: Mastrogiacomo
authors: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, Cedex France.
authors: Herwig
authors: H
authors: Requardt
authors: 1] Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Piazza del Viminale 1, 00184 Roma, Italy [2] Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 2, 00185 Roma - Italy.
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Giove
authors: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, Cedex France.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Bravin
authors: Institute for Physical and Chemical Process-CNR c/o Physics Department at 'Sapienza' University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Cedola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D055806:Microvessels; D009434:Neural Pathways; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods