Non-invasive remote assessment of tissue fibrogenesis using Brillouin microscopy

Fibrosis is a physiological condition marked by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in tissue stiffening and impaired organ function. Accurately quantifying and mapping the mechanical properties of fibrotic tissues is essential for diagnosis, tracking disease progression, and assessing efficacy of therapeutic interventions. In this study, we utilize Brillouin microspectroscopy, a non-invasive, label-free optical technique, to quantify the mechanical properties of fibrotic tissue in an in situ dermal wound healing model. We demonstrate that Brillouin spectroscopy effectively distinguishes fibrotic tissue from healthy tissue based on microscopic changes in stiffness and enables monitoring of dynamic alterations in viscoelastic properties of the tissue injury site during fibrogenesis. Our pioneering work shows Brillouin spectroscopy as a promising method for in vivo characterization of both fibrogenesis and wound healing in general. Our findings highlight Brillouin spectroscopy's potential as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for fibrotic diseases, with significant implications for both laboratory research and clinical applications in conditions such as human liver cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and cardiac fibrosis.