Journal Article

VS-FPM: large-format, label-free virtual histopathology microscopy

Shaw, Michael, Bendkowski, Christopher, Novelli, Marco, Lovat, Laurence B., Rodriguez-Justo, Manuel, Levine, Adam P.

2025

Overview

This article describes a new method (VS-FPM) for analysis of unstained tissues based on the application of supervised machine learning to generate brightfield hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) images from phase images recovered using Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM). VS-FPM has several advantages for label-free digital pathology. Capture of complex image information simplifies model training and allows post-capture refocusing. FPM images combine high resolution with a large field of view, and the hardware is low-cost and compatible with many existing brightfield microscope systems. By generating realistic histologically stained images from label-free image data, virtual staining (VS) methods have the potential to streamline clinical workflows, improve image consistency, and enable new ways of visualizing and analyzing histological tissues. We trained a conditional generative adversarial network to translate high-resolution FPM images of unstained tissues to brightfield H&E images and assessed the method using diagnosis of colonic polyps as a test case. We found no statistically significant difference between the spatial resolution of FPM images captured at 4× magnification and images from a pathology slide scanner at 20× magnification. Visual assessment and image similarity metrics showed that VS-FPM images of unstained tissues closely resemble images of chemically H&E-stained tissues. However, the spatial resolution of virtual H&E images was approximately 20% lower than equivalent images of chemically stained tissues. Using VS-FPM, board-certified pathologists were able to accurately distinguish normal from dysplastic tissues and derive correct pathological diagnoses. VS-FPM is a reliable, accessible VS method that also overcomes many other limitations inherent to histopathology microscopy.

• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)