QuPath Automated Analysis of Optic Nerve Degeneration in Brown Norway Rats.
Transl Vis Sci Technol
; 9(3): 22, 2020 02 18.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32714648
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
A novel application of QuPath open-source digital analysis software is used to provide in-depth morphological analysis of progressive optic nerve (ON) degeneration in rats.Methods:
QuPath software was adapted to assess axon and gliotic morphology in toluidine blue-stained, Brown Norway rat ON light micrographs. QuPath axon numbers, density, size distributions, and gliotic areas were obtained from test images and ON cross-sections separated by damage grade. QuPath results were compared with manual counting, AxonJ, and electron microscopy axon estimates.Results:
QuPath-derived axon number, density, and diameter decreased with increasing ON damage. Axon density negatively correlated with gliotic areas in test images (R2 = 0.759; P < 0.0001; N = 40) and in ON cross-sections (R2 = 0.803; P < 0.0004; N = 10). Although axon losses occurred across most axon diameters, large axons were more susceptible to degeneration. The exception was swollen axons > 2 µm, which increased in moderately but not severely damaged images. QuPath axon counts correlated strongly with manual counts of test images (R2 = 0.956; P < 0.0001). QuPath outperformed AxonJ on test images and total ON axon counts. Compared to electron microscopy analysis, QuPath undercounted ON axons; however, correlation between the methods was robust (R2 = 0.797; P < 0.001; N = 10).Conclusions:
QuPath analysis reliably identified axon loss, axon morphology changes, and gliotic expansion that occurred in degenerating ONs. Translational Relevance QuPath is a valuable tool for rapid, automated, analysis of healthy and degenerating ONs. Reproducible preclinical studies for new glaucoma treatments depend on unbiased in-depth analysis of ON pathology. This was provided by the QuPath approach.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Nervo Óptico
/
Traumatismos do Nervo Óptico
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article