An automated image processing method to quantify collagen fiber organization within cutaneous scar tissue

Standard approaches to evaluate scar formation within histological sections rely on qualitative evaluations and scoring, which limits our understanding of the remodeling process. We have recently developed an image analysis technique for the rapid quantification of fiber alignment at each pixel location. The goal of this study was to evaluate its application for quantitatively mapping scar formation in histological sections of cutaneous burns. To this end, we utilized directional statistics to define maps of fiber density and directional variance from Masson’s Trichrome stained sections for quantifying changes in collagen organization during scar remodeling. Significant increases in collagen fiber density are detectable soon after burn injury in a rat model. Decreased fiber directional variance in the scar was also detectable between 3 weeks and 6 months after injury, indicating increasing fiber alignment. This automated analysis of fiber Correspondence: Kyle P. Quinn, Ph.D., University of Arkansas, Department of Biomedical Engineering, John A. White Engineering Hall, 790 W. Dickson St. Suite 120, Fayetteville, AR 72701, Phone: 608-347-8890, [email protected]. Author Contributions KPQ developed the image analysis algorithms and analyzed the data. AG, GFB, SK, and MV designed the animal study and executed the experiments. MCM performed pathological analysis. WGA, BB, MLY, and IG provided resources and guidance. All authors assisted in writing the manuscript. Conflict of interests The authors report no relevant conflict of interest. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Exp Dermatol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 January 01. Published in final edited form as: Exp Dermatol. 2015 January ; 24(1): 78–80. doi:10.1111/exd.12553. N IH -P A A uhor M anscript N IH -P A A uhor M anscript N IH -P A A uhor M anscript organization can provide objective surrogate endpoints for evaluating cutaneous wound repair and regeneration.