Researchers from MIT and Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital have developed an innovative microscopy technique that could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. The high-resolution imaging method provides unprecedented detail of brain tissue cells and structures, aiding doctors in identifying and treating patients with brain tumors.
Brain tumors, accounting for 85% to 90% of primary central nervous system tumors, involve the abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells. The new technique involves labeling around 16 different molecules per brain tissue sample, including markers for various structures like axons and synapses, as well as cell type identifiers such as astrocytes and blood vessel-forming cells. Additionally, molecules linked to tumor aggressiveness and neurodegeneration were labeled for analysis.
The researchers studied healthy brain tissue and samples from patients with two types of gliomas—high-grade glioblastoma and low-grade gliomas. Surprisingly, some low-grade tumors were found to contain potentially more aggressive tumor cells than previously believed, indicating the need for a more nuanced understanding of tumor characteristics.
The microscopy method involves embedding tissue into a polymer that swells when water is added, breaking apart proteins that hold the tissue together and allowing the polymer to swell, thereby separating proteins. This process enlarges tissues, enabling researchers to capture images with a remarkable resolution of around 70 nanometers.
Pablo Valdes, the lead author of the study and assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Texas Medical Branch, emphasized the significance of the new technique in uncovering interactions between neurons, synapses, and the surrounding brain, which play a crucial role in tumor growth and progression. Conventional tools fell short in revealing these details, making this breakthrough a game-changer for researchers studying tissues at the nanoscale.
The researchers are planning further studies, including a larger investigation into various tumor types to establish diagnostic guidelines based on revealed tumor traits. Additionally, they aim to explore other aspects of brain function in both healthy and diseased tissues. The newfound capabilities of this microscopy technique open up promising avenues for advancing our understanding of brain tumors and improving diagnostic and treatment strategies.