Imaging the pulmonary extracellular matrix

Pieta C. Wijsman, Lisa H. van Smoorenburg, Daniël M. de Bruin, Jouke T. Annema, Huib A. M. Kerstjens, Onno M. Mets, Maarten van den Berge, Peter I. Bonta, Janette K. Burgess

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The pulmonary extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the structure and function of the lung. In many respiratory diseases the profile of the ECM reflects pathological changes. The capacity to visualize the ECM and its alterations is of considerable importance to facilitate a better understanding of pulmonary diseases and eventually augment therapeutic solutions. This short review summarizes the current and novel possibilities for imaging the pulmonary ECM by the use of computed tomography (CT), optical coherence tomography (OCT), confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) and molecular imaging. While not all these techniques are as yet implemented in standard clinical practice, we address their main features along with the key possibilities for the future.
Original languageEnglish
Article number100444
JournalCurrent Opinion in Physiology
Volume22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2021

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