Abstract
Both polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy are 3D optical imaging methods providing information related to collagen in the skin. PS-OCT provides birefringence information which is due to the collagen composition of the skin. SHG microscopy visualizes collagen fibers in the skin based on their SHG property. These two modalities have been applied to the same skin pathologies associated with collagen changes, but their relationship has not been examined. In this study, we tried to find the relationship by imaging the same skin samples with both modalities. Various parts of the normal rat skin and burn damaged skin were imaged ex vivo, and their images were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. PS-OCT images were analyzed to obtain tissue birefringence. SHG images were analyzed to obtain collagen orientation indices by applying 2D Fourier transform. The skin samples having higher birefringence values had higher collagen orientation indices, and a linear correlation was found between them. Burn damaged skin showed decreases in both parameters compared to the control skins. This relationship between the bulk and microscopic properties of skin may be useful for further skin studies.
Highlights
Skin is the outer covering of the body and plays a key role in protecting against influences of the environment
Various optical imaging techniques have been applied to skin studies such as polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy which are promising methods for studying the skin diseases related to collagen changes
PS-OCT and SHG microscopy provided collagen information of the skin based on different contrast mechanisms: birefringence based on light back reflection and collagen fiber distribution based on nonlinear SHG
Summary
Skin is the outer covering of the body and plays a key role in protecting against influences of the environment. Skin has layered structures consisting of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis from superficial to deep. The superficial epidermis consists of cells that form the protecting layer. The underlying dermis consists mainly of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen and elastin, and contributes to the strength and toughness of the skin. Since skin diseases are accompanied by structural alternation, visualization of skin structures would significantly facilitate skin disease diagnosis and treatment. Various optical imaging techniques have been applied to skin studies such as polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy which are promising methods for studying the skin diseases related to collagen changes
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