VESGEN is a newly automated, user- interactive program that maps and quantifies the effects of vascular therapeutics and regulators on microvascular form and function. VESGEN analyzes two- dimensional, black and white vascular images by measuring important vessel morphology parameters. This software guides the user through each required step of the analysis process via a concise graphical user interface (GUI). There are control options ranging from “one-click” analysis given a primary output, to step-by-step control over each image and algorithm used in an analysis. An option is provided to select a vascular tissue type, which determines the general collections of algorithms, intermediate images, and output images and measurements that will be produced. The UI automatically restructures itself to provide customized user controls for studying the requested type of tissue.
Three major types of vascular tissues can be analyzed: branching trees, networks, and tree-network composites. Parameters measured include vessel diameter, length, branchpoints, density, and fractal dimension. For tree type vessels, those measurements, as well as the number and tortuosity of vessels, are reported as dependent functions of vessel branching generation. VESGEN uses the fundamental image-processing concepts of 8-neighbor pixel connectivity, skeleton and distance map to create typically 5 to 12 (or greater) generations of vascular branching from a single parent vessel. For network type vessels, measurements of avascular regions are also made. Measurements of tree-network composites combine aspects of tree and network analyses.
Primary applications of the VESGEN code are 2D vascular images acquired as clinical diagnostic images of the human retina and as experimental studies of the effects of vascular regulators and therapeutics on vessel remodeling. Applications of VESGEN will be extended to predictive modeling studies of the response of human normal and pathological microvasculature to vascular therapeutics and regulators and to 3D vascular trees that are characteristic of organs such as the lung and brain.
VESGEN is written in Java as a plug-in for ImageJ (a free, publicly available image-processing software from National Institutes for Health). The software can be further modified for specific applications, or as an ImageJ-independent, stand-alone code. The current VESGEN program is at approximately Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-6, requiring only user knowledge of image pre-processing to binarize the vessels. The sole user input requirement is a binary (black/white) digital image in which the vascular architecture (i.e. vascular morphology or pattern) appears in black. An optional, but very useful and desirable, user input requirement is the microscope calibration factor, so that the quantified results output can be specified in physical units such as microns in addition to pixels.
This work was done by Patricia Parsons- Wingerter, Mary B. Vickerman, and Patricia A. Keith of Glenn Research Center.
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed to
NASA Glenn Research Center
Innovative Partnerships Office
Attn: Steve Fedor
Mail Stop 4–8
21000 Brookpark Road
Cleveland
Ohio 44135.
Refer to LEW-18277-1.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Quantifying Therapeutic and Diagnostic Efficacy in 2D Microvascular Images
(reference LEW-18277-1) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document titled "Quantifying Therapeutic and Diagnostic Efficacy in 2D Microvascular Images" (LEW-18277-1) from NASA's Glenn Research Center outlines the development and application of VESGEN, a software tool designed for analyzing microvascular structures. The primary focus of VESGEN is to provide critical vascular measurements, including vessel diameter, length, branching points, and density across different branching generations. This software was developed to study the remodeling effects of various therapeutic and regulatory agents on microvascular morphology, particularly using the avian chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) testbed model.
Since its initial disclosure in 2004, VESGEN has undergone significant upgrades to transition from a semi-automatic to a fully automated system, enhancing its usability for researchers. The software is a Java-based plug-in for NIH ImageJ, a widely recognized image processing tool. Key contributors to this project include Mary Vickerman, Patricia Keith, and Patricia Parsons-Wingerter, who have implemented innovative methods to improve the software's functionality.
The document highlights the importance of VESGEN in understanding the effects of stimulators like VEGF and bFGF, and inhibitors such as TGF-beta on blood vessel growth, particularly in the context of small blood vessels. The software has been validated through several peer-reviewed publications, demonstrating its effectiveness in measuring vascular parameters and supporting predictive modeling studies related to human microvasculature.
VESGEN's applications extend beyond basic research; it is being utilized in various biomedical contexts, including studies on the human retina, experimental rodent models, and coronary vessel remodeling. The software's capabilities also support predictive and diagnostic modeling, which aligns with NASA and NIH initiatives focused on human health in space exploration.
Moreover, the document notes that VESGEN may have potential applications in botanical research and agribusiness, as it can analyze the branching vascular structures of leaves. The ongoing development of VESGEN aims to make it a more mature and user-friendly tool, facilitating its adoption by researchers worldwide.
In summary, this document presents VESGEN as a pivotal tool for advancing the understanding of microvascular health, with implications for both space exploration and broader biomedical research.
