3D imaging of human cells using PIXEμCT

Abstract

We report imaging of human lung epithelial cells exposed to cobalt oxide ([Formula: see text]) microparticles using three-dimensional (3D) particle-induced X-ray emission microcomputed tomography ([Formula: see text]). The use of energy-selectable quasi-monochromatic low-energy X-rays generated via proton microbeam bombardment led to high-quality images. We also carried out two-dimensional (2D) micro-PIXE imaging. The 3D [Formula: see text] imaging data are complementary with 2D micro-PIXE images and the CT value ratios of the cells show that the strong absorption stems from [Formula: see text]. The 2D micro-PIXE analysis provides projection images of the elemental distribution, and this in combination with the 3D [Formula: see text] imaging revealed details of the internal distribution of [Formula: see text], and hence provides insight into the mechanisms of [Formula: see text] toxicity via intracellular perinuclear accumulation.