Visualizing the three-dimensional mesoscopic structure of dermal tissues.

Thorough knowledge of dermal tissue structure in three dimensions is not only a prerequisite for understanding the relationship between cells and their extracellular matrix, but also provides a basis for understanding of wound healing and scar formation for designing the ideal scaffold for skin tissue engineering. Here, we show for the first time the visualization of the three dimensional (3D) structure of dermal tissue by phase-contrast microtomography (μCT) with third-generation synchrotron radiation (SR). Compared with irregular dermal tissue (such as scar tissue), the normal dermal tissues were found to consist of a network of elliptically shaped regions containing a web of fibre bundles. The bundles, composed of fibres, were found to be orientated along specific directions, indicative of helical weaving. A regular array of dentate structure was shown on the fibres. The results showed that phase-contrast μCT with SR had a distinct advantage in accurately viewing the 3D microstructure of dermal tissues.