DataSheet1_Whole-Slide Image Analysis of Human Pancreas Samples to Elucidate the Immunopathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes Using the QuPath Software.PDF

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease of the pancreas characterized by the loss of insulin-producing beta cells. Access to human pancreas samples for research purposes has been historically limited, restricting pathological analyses to animal models. However, intrinsic differences between animals and humans have made clinical translation very challenging. Recently, human pancreas samples have become available through several biobanks worldwide, and this has opened numerous opportunities for scientific discovery. In addition, the use of new imaging technologies has unraveled many mysteries of the human pancreas not merely in the presence of disease, but also in physiological conditions. Nowadays, multiplex immunofluorescence protocols as well as sophisticated image analysis tools can be employed. Here, we described the use of QuPath—an open-source platform for image analysis—for the investigation of human pancreas samples. We demonstrate that QuPath can be adequately used to analyze whole-slide images with the aim of identifying the islets of Langerhans and define their cellular composition as well as other basic morphological characteristics. In addition, we show that QuPath can identify immune cell populations in the exocrine tissue and islets of Langerhans, accurately localizing and quantifying immune infiltrates in the pancreas. Therefore, we present a tool and analysis pipeline that allows for the accurate characterization of the human pancreas, enabling the study of the anatomical and physiological changes underlying pancreatic diseases such as type 1 diabetes. The standardization and implementation of these analysis tools is of critical importance to understand disease pathogenesis, and may be informative for the design of new therapies aimed at preserving beta cell function and halting the inflammation caused by the immune attack.

1型糖尿病是一种以分泌胰岛素的β细胞丢失为特征的胰腺慢性疾病。长期以来，用于科研的人类胰腺样本获取途径十分有限，致使病理分析只能依赖动物模型。然而，动物与人类之间存在的固有差异，使得临床转化工作面临极大挑战。近年来，全球多家生物样本库（biobanks）已可提供人类胰腺样本，这为科学研究带来了诸多新机遇。此外，新型成像技术的应用不仅揭开了疾病状态下人类胰腺的诸多未解之谜，也揭示了其生理状态下的特征。如今，多重免疫荧光（multiplex immunofluorescence）方案与先进的图像分析工具已可投入使用。本文介绍了如何使用QuPath——一款开源图像分析平台——开展人类胰腺样本的研究分析。研究证实，QuPath可有效分析全玻片图像，用于识别朗格汉斯岛（islets of Langerhans，即胰岛），并明确其细胞组成与其他基本形态学特征。此外，本研究表明，QuPath可识别外分泌组织与胰岛中的免疫细胞群，精准定位并量化胰腺内的免疫浸润情况。综上，本文提出了一套可精准表征人类胰腺的工具与分析流程，助力针对1型糖尿病等胰腺疾病的解剖学与生理学变化开展研究。对这些分析工具进行标准化与落地应用，对于阐明疾病发病机制至关重要，同时可为旨在保护β细胞功能、阻断免疫攻击引发的炎症的新型治疗方案开发提供参考。