論文標題Paper Title

Human Liver and Pancreas Innervation: Resolving 3D Neurohistological Challenges and Advancing Insights

學術期刊刊名Journal Name

Journal of Biomedical Science

研究團隊 Research Team

主持人Principle Investigator：

湯學成教授  Shiue-Cheng Tang, Professor

國立清華大學醫學科學系/生物科技研究所

Department of Medical Science

Institute of Biotechnology

College of Life Sciences and Medicine (CLSM), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU).

參與者Participants:：

李志元 醫師 Chih-Yuan Lee

國立臺灣大學醫學院附設醫院外科部

National Taiwan University Hospital, Department of Surgery

陳建嘉 醫師 Chien-Chia Chen

國立臺灣大學醫學院附設醫院外科部

National Taiwan University Hospital, Department of Surgery

蕭輔廷 博士 Fu-Ting Hsiao

國立清華大學生物科技研究所

Institute of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Medicine (CLSM), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU).

摘要

Abstract

肝臟與胰臟是維持葡萄糖恆定與能量代謝的重要器官，其功能受到自主神經系統精密調控。然而，由於人體肝、胰組織具有自體螢光、組織自溶及脂肪浸潤等特性，傳統二維病理分析方法難以完整解析其複雜的三維神經網絡結構。本研究系統性整合人體肝臟與胰臟神經支配相關研究成果，並探討三維神經組織學分析所面臨的技術挑戰與解決策略。

研究團隊進一步結合組織透明化、高折射率聚合物抗褪色包埋及超解析影像技術，建立高可信度之三維神經影像分析平台，以提升人體肝臟與胰臟神經網絡之解析能力。研究成果有助於深入了解自主神經系統在代謝調控中的角色，並為糖尿病、脂肪肝及代謝性疾病之轉譯醫學研究提供重要基礎。

The liver and pancreas are central organs in metabolic regulation and glucose homeostasis, with their functions tightly controlled by the autonomic nervous system. However, comprehensive visualization of their complex 3D neural networks remains challenging because of tissue autofluorescence, autolysis, and steatosis in human clinical specimens. This work systematically reviews the biological and technical challenges associated with human liver and pancreas neurohistology and highlights emerging solutions for reliable 3D analysis.

By integrating tissue clearing, high-refractive-index polymer–based antifade embedding, and super-resolution imaging technologies, this study establishes an advanced framework for high-fidelity visualization of human hepatic and pancreatic innervation. The work provides new perspectives on neural regulation of metabolic homeostasis and offers a valuable foundation for translational research in diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.

研究成果Result/Contributions

系統性整理人體肝臟與胰臟神經支配之最新研究進展，闡述自主神經系統於葡萄糖恆定與代謝調控中的關鍵角色。

分析三維神經組織學研究所面臨之重要技術挑戰，包括組織自體螢光、組織自溶、光漂白及脂肪浸潤等因素對影像解析與結果判讀之影響。

彙整並分析組織透明化、LED光化學漂白、高折射率聚合物抗褪色包埋及超解析顯微技術等新興方法，建立高可信度之三維神經影像分析流程。

透過人體肝臟與胰臟臨床檢體，展示多尺度三維神經網絡與神經節結構之高解析影像成果，提升對人體代謝器官神經調控機制的理解。

本研究發表於《Journal of Biomedical Science》，為人體肝膽胰神經生物學研究及代謝疾病轉譯醫學提供重要參考架構與技術平台。

This study systematically summarizes recent advances in human liver and pancreas innervation and highlights the critical roles of the autonomic nervous system in glucose homeostasis and metabolic regulation.

Key technical challenges in 3D neurohistology are discussed, including tissue autofluorescence, autolysis, photobleaching, and steatosis, all of which can affect image quality and data interpretation.

Emerging methodologies, including tissue clearing, LED photochemical bleaching, high-refractive-index polymer–based antifade embedding, and super-resolution microscopy, are evaluated and integrated into a high-fidelity workflow for 3D neural imaging.

Representative imaging studies of human liver and pancreas specimens demonstrate high-resolution visualization of neural networks and intrapancreatic ganglia across multiple spatial scales, advancing our understanding of neural regulation in metabolic organs.

Published in the Journal of Biomedical Science, this work provides an important conceptual framework and technological platform for human hepatopancreatobiliary neurobiology and translational research in metabolic diseases.

論文連結 Paper Link

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41207897/

https://www.3d-histology.com
Introduction to 3D histology platform and related imaging technologies.

https://www.youtube.com/@tonytang6108/videos
Videos showcasing the research team's 3D imaging technologies and research achievements.

https://x.com/3dHistology
Updates on research findings, academic activities, and recent scientific developments.

https://reurl.cc/OrAQyR
3D super-resolution imaging enabled by anti-fade solid-state tissue embedding using a high-refractive-index polymer.

YouTube Video Demonstrations

https://youtu.be/977o9TmUvIg

Panoramic-to-3D Airyscan super-resolution neurohistology of human steatotic liver tissue.

https://youtu.be/5l6dPpxSqiQ

3D Airyscan super-resolution imaging of a human intrapancreatic ganglion: cholinergic neurons and VAChT⁺ synaptic vesicles.

https://youtu.be/fDayJC_0x18

3D Airyscan super-resolution imaging of a human intrapancreatic ganglion: glial–neuronal associations.