Abstract
We demonstrate the use of a high resolution form of optical coherence tomography, termed micro-OCT (μOCT), for investigating the functional microanatomy of airway epithelia. μOCT captures several key parameters governing the function of the airway surface (airway surface liquid depth, periciliary liquid depth, ciliary function including beat frequency, and mucociliary transport rate) from the same series of images and without exogenous particles or labels, enabling non-invasive study of dynamic phenomena. Additionally, the high resolution of μOCT reveals distinguishable phases of the ciliary stroke pattern and glandular extrusion. Images and functional measurements from primary human bronchial epithelial cell cultures and excised tissue are presented and compared with measurements using existing gold standard methods. Active secretion from mucus glands in tissue, a key parameter of epithelial function, was also observed and quantified.
Highlights
Mucociliary transport and the function of the airway surface is an area of active study of the human respiratory system
We demonstrate mOCT applied to living airway epithelium, both in cultures and in tissues ex vivo, including direct and simultaneous measurements of airway surface liquid (ASL), periciliary liquid (PCL), mucociliary transport (MCT), ciliary stroke pattern, ciliary beat frequency (CBF), and glandular function without exogenous labeling, providing a new tool to interrogate the functional microanatomy of respiratory epithelia with unequaled resolution
The air has no mOCT signal; the mucus layer appears heterogeneous with high mOCT signal intensity; the PCL gel has a low mOCT signal intensity compared with the mucus and monolayer and includes ciliary structures
Summary
Mucociliary transport and the function of the airway surface is an area of active study of the human respiratory system. A layer of cilia continuously transports airway mucus, a vital mechanism for defense against particulate contamination and biological invaders. Progression, or treatment of these diseases, a tool to quantitatively characterize the functional microanatomy of living cells and tissues without disturbing the mucociliary mechanism is highly desirable. Relevant metrics include the airway surface liquid (ASL) depth, the thickness of the thin layer of liquid surrounding the cilia known as the periciliary liquid (PCL) depth, the ciliary beat frequency (CBF), and the velocity of mucociliary transport (MCT)
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