Publication Date

6-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

European Journal of Cell Biology

Volume

104

Issue

2

DOI

10.1016/j.ejcb.2025.151492

Abstract

Holotomograhic microscopy (HTM) has emerged as a non-invasive imaging technique that offers high-resolution, quantitative 3D imaging of biological samples. This study explores the application of HTM in examining endothelial cells (ECs). HTM overcomes the limitations of traditional microscopy methods in capturing the real-time dynamics of ECs by leveraging the refractive index (RI) to map 3D distributions label-free. This work demonstrates the utility of HTM in visualizing key cellular processes during endothelialization, wherein ECs anchor, adhere, migrate, and proliferate. Leveraging the high resolution and quantitative power of HTM, we show that lipid droplets and mitochondria are readily visualized, enabling more comprehensive studies on their respective roles during endothelialization. The study highlights how HTM on a commercial instrument can uncover novel insights into HUVEC cell behavior, offering potential applications in medical diagnostics and research, particularly in developing treatments for cardiovascular diseases. This advanced imaging technique not only enhances our understanding of EC biology but also presents a significant step forward in the study of cardiovascular diseases, providing a robust platform for future research and therapeutic development.

Funding Number

SC2GM140991

Funding Sponsor

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Keywords

Cardiovascular biomaterials, Cell adhesion, Cell motility, Endothelial cells, Endothelialization, Holotomographic microscopy, Label-free imaging, Organelle dynamics, Quantitative phase imaging, Refractive index

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Department

Biomedical Engineering

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