Main findings: Imaging targets and preliminary results
With MPM we could visualize 3D morphology of healthy and preeclamptic placenta but also quantify pathologic features. Quantification of those features was based on existing tools (FIJI , VMTK ,Stardist ) and an ad hoc developed tool (KnotMiner ).
Disorganized trophoblast (Figures 1C-1D), knots with distinct 3D confirmations (Figure 1E-1H, Figure 2A), and long slender villi with knob-like endings (Figure 3A) were characteristic for PE placenta. PE placenta displayed increased syncytial knotting compared to controls (Figure 2J). The relationship between villous surface area and volume was also different in PE versus control placenta (Figures 3E-3F). Lastly, placental vasculature appeared to be maldeveloped in PE (Figures 4, S13). Differences between EO-PE and LO-PE support the concept that they have a different pathophysiology.