Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are closely related to structural blood capillaries lesions. Herein, microscopic investigations of mouse blood capillaries were performed at multiple spatial resolution by using synchrotron X-ray in-line phase contrast tomography and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). The chemically fixed blood capillaries without any contrast agents were selected. For the first time, a periodic bamboo-shaped structure was observed at nanoscale resolution by STXM, and the three-dimensional tomographic slices at sub-micrometer resolution further confirmed the periodic wave profile of the blood capillaries. Then, a periodic microstructural model was suggested based on the microscopic images. By using high-performance imaging techniques, this work provides a better understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of blood capillaries, will be helpful in elucidating the causes of cardiovascular system diseases.
Highlights
Blood capillaries are the most widely distributed vessels in the human body
Microscopic investigations of mouse blood capillaries were performed at multiple spatial resolution by using synchrotron X-ray in-line phase contrast tomography and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM)
A periodic bamboo-shaped structure was observed at nanoscale resolution by STXM, and the three-dimensional tomographic slices at sub-micrometer resolution further confirmed the periodic wave profile of the blood capillaries
Summary
Blood capillaries are the most widely distributed vessels in the human body. Without capillaries substance exchange between blood and tissues is impossible. Vessel lesions especially that of capillaries are closely related to cardiovascular disease development. The common microvascular lesions caused by diabetes can damage multiple target organs, including the retina, kidney and myocardium [1]. The distortion of blood capillaries can lead to myocardial ischemia in hypertensive cardiomyopathy [2]. The generation and deterioration of solid tumors is directly related to tumor vasculature [3,4,5], leading to the development of antiangiogenic therapies [6, 7]. To view the blood vessels straightforwardly is crucial to understanding the related mechanisms. The small size of blood capillaries make it difficult to perform microscopic structural analysis
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