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Figure 1 Collagen Birefringence in Atherosclerotic Plaques

(A and E) Optical coherence tomography images of fibrous plaques. (B) Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) image of fibrous plaque showing high birefringence as seen by the rapid transition of the image from black to white corresponding to 0° to 180° phase retardation. (C) Picrosirius red (PSR)-stained histology section showing orange-red fibers (thicker fibers) under polarized light microscopy. (D and H) Trichrome stained histology images. (F) PSOCT image of fibrous plaque showing black region corresponding to low birefringence below the luminal surface. (G) Corresponding PSR-stained histology section showing yellow-green (thinner fibers) under polarized light microscopy. Scale bars = 500 µm.