Mapping the arterial vascular network in an intact human kidney using hierarchical phase-contrast tomography
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The architecture of kidney vasculature is essential the organ's specialised functions, yet is challenging to structurally map in an intact human organ. Here, we combined hierarchical phase-contrast tomography (HiP-CT) with topology network analysis to enable quantitative assessment of the intact human kidney vasculature, from the renal artery to interlobular arteries. Comparison with kidney vascular maps described for rodents revealed similar topologies to human, but human kidney vasculature possessed a significantly sharper decrease in radius from hilum to cortex, deviating from theoretically optimal flow resistance for smaller vessels. Structural differences in kidney hilar, medullary and cortical vasculature reflected unique functional adaptations of each zone. This work represents the first time the arterial vasculature of an intact human kidney has been mapped beyond segmental arteries, potentiating novel computational models of kidney vascular flow in humans. Our analyses have implications for understanding how blood vessel structure collectively scales to facilitate specialised functions in human organs.
Source: npj Imaging
Institutions: University College London, Imperial College London, Wellcome Sanger Institute, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Witten/Herdecke University, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, RWTH Aachen University, German Center for Lung Research
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,790
Funders: Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Royal Academy of Engineering, Foulkes Foundation, University College London, Rosetrees Trust, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Medical Research Council
Awards: G1494345130, G1528967194, G161798077, Imaging dynamics in biophysical/biochemical processes across the hierarchical scales (BioPro Network), Lymphatic biology in kidney development, health and disease, G2259944664, Lymphatic biology in kidney development, health and disease, Organ-specific lymphatic endothelial heterogeneity in tissue homeostasis and allergic inflammation, G703488644, G808865357, G8547529128
OpenAlex ID: W4413964079