开发了一款快速准确量化血管生成结构与成熟度的免费软件
TubuleTracker: a high-fidelity shareware software to quantify angiogenesis architecture and maturity
- 基于图像分析算法自动识别血管网络特征
- 处理速度比人工快8倍，比ImageJ快10倍以上
- 血管圆形度是判断成熟度的关键指标，适合生物医学研究者使用
背景：体外内皮细胞培养广泛用于血管生成研究。传统方法依赖人工审阅组织显微图像，耗时且主观。尽管ImageJ等工具可辅助分析，但常存在速度慢、精度不足的问题。随着血管网络复杂度增加，传统结构指标难以全面反映其成熟度。为此，我们开发了tubuleTracker，一款能快速、客观量化内皮网络架构与成熟度的软件。方法：在细胞外基质中培养人脐静脉内皮细胞，通过相位对比显微镜获取54张图像，每张图像由三位独立评审员手动评估，并分别用ImageJ和tubuleTracker分析。关键指标包括管状结构数量、总长度、节点数、管腔面积及血管圆形度。同时，训练科学家对每幅图像按1-5分（1=最成熟）评分。结果：单图分析时间显著不同：人工8分钟，ImageJ 58±4秒，tubuleTracker 6±2秒（p<0.0001）。管状结构数量、长度、节点数等指标差异均极显著（所有p<0.0001），其中人工为168±SD，tubuleTracker为92±SD，ImageJ为433±SD。tubuleTracker的各项指标随成熟度评分显著变化（所有p<0.0001），尤其圆形度表现突出。结论：tubuleTracker比人工与ImageJ分析更快、更一致；血管圆形度是捕捉血管成熟度的有效指标。该软件已作为免费共享软件向生物医学研究社区开放。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
Background: In vitro endothelial cell culture is widely used to study angiogenesis. Histomicrographic images of cell networks are often analyzed manually, a process that is time-consuming and subjective. Automated tools like ImageJ (NIH) can assist, but are often slow and inaccurate. Additionally, as endothelial networks grow more complex, traditional architectural metrics may not fully reflect network maturity. To address these limitations, we developed tubuleTracker, a software tool that quantifies endothelial network architecture and maturity rapidly and objectively. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in an extracellular matrix, and 54 images were acquired using phase contrast microscopy. Each image was analyzed manually by three independent reviewers, and by both ImageJ and tubuleTracker. Key metrics included tubule count, total length, node count, tubule area, and vessel circularity. In parallel, trained scientists rated each image for angiogenesis maturity on a 1-5 scale (1 = most mature). Results: Analysis time per image differed significantly: manual (8 min), ImageJ (58+/-4 s), and tubuleTracker (6+/-2 s) (p<0.0001). Significant differences were also found in tubule count (manual 168+/-SD, tubuleTracker 92+/-SD, ImageJ 433+/-SD), length, and node count (all p<0.0001). tubuleTracker's metrics varied significantly across angiogenesis maturity scores, including tubule count, length, node count, area, and circularity (all p<0.0001). Conclusions: tubuleTracker was faster and more consistent than both manual and ImageJ-based analysis. Vessel circularity proved especially effective in capturing angiogenesis maturity. tubuleTracker is available as free shareware for the biomedical research community.
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