scholarly journals Nanoscale Imaging and Analysis of Bone Pathologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 12033
Author(s):  
Victoria Garcia-Giner ◽  
Zexiang Han ◽  
Finn Giuliani ◽  
Alexandra E. Porter

Understanding the properties of bone is of both fundamental and clinical relevance. The basis of bone’s quality and mechanical resilience lies in its nanoscale building blocks (i.e., mineral, collagen, non-collagenous proteins, and water) and their complex interactions across length scales. Although the structure–mechanical property relationship in healthy bone tissue is relatively well characterized, not much is known about the molecular-level origin of impaired mechanics and higher fracture risks in skeletal disorders such as osteoporosis or Paget’s disease. Alterations in the ultrastructure, chemistry, and nano-/micromechanics of bone tissue in such a diverse group of diseased states have only been briefly explored. Recent research is uncovering the effects of several non-collagenous bone matrix proteins, whose deficiencies or mutations are, to some extent, implicated in bone diseases, on bone matrix quality and mechanics. Herein, we review existing studies on ultrastructural imaging—with a focus on electron microscopy—and chemical, mechanical analysis of pathological bone tissues. The nanometric details offered by these reports, from studying knockout mice models to characterizing exact disease phenotypes, can provide key insights into various bone pathologies and facilitate the development of new treatments.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 3474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aira Matsugaki ◽  
Tatsuki Harada ◽  
Yumi Kimura ◽  
Aiko Sekita ◽  
Takayoshi Nakano

Bone metastasis is one of the most intractable bone diseases; it is accompanied with a severe mechanical dysfunction of bone tissue. We recently discovered that the disorganized collagen/apatite microstructure in cancer-bearing bone is a dominant determinant of the disruption of bone mechanical function; disordered osteoblast arrangement was found to be one of the principal determinants of the deteriorated collagen/apatite microstructure. However, the precise molecular mechanisms regulating the disordered osteoblast arrangement triggered by cancer invasion are not yet understood. Herein, we demonstrate a significant disorganization of bone tissue anisotropy in metastasized bone in our novel ex vivo metastasis model. Further, we propose a novel mechanism underlying the disorganization of a metastasized bone matrix: A dynamic collision behavior between tumor cells and osteoblasts disturbs the osteoblast arrangement along the collagen substrate.


2004 ◽  
Vol 841 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kavukcuoglu ◽  
C. West ◽  
D. T. Denhardt ◽  
A. B. Mann

ABSTRACTOsteopontin (OPN), a phosphorylated glycoprotein, is among the most abundant non-collageneous bone matrix proteins produced by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. OPN has been implicated in bone formation, resorption and remodeling. However, previous studies have presented contradictory results regarding the effect of OPN on the mechanics and microstructure of bone. This study has used nanoindentation to identify local variations in elastic modulus and hardness of OPN deficient (OPN -/-) and wild-type control (OPN+/+) mouse bones. Specifically, the study has looked at changes in the mechanical properties of OPN-/- and OPN+/+ mouse bones with the mouse's age. Cortical sections of femurs from different age groups ranging from 3 weeks to 58 weeks were tested and compared. The results suggest that there are large, abrupt variations in mechanical properties across the femur's radial section for 3-week-old mouse bone. The hardness (H) drops significantly towards the inner and outer sections so the cortical bone has a mean H=3.66 GPa with a standard deviation of 2.44 GPa. In contrast, the hardness of the 58-week-old mouse bone had a standard deviation of 0.35 GPa and a mean H=1.45 GPa. The hardness across the radial axis of the 58-week-old bone was found to be quite uniform. The elastic modulus showed similar variations to the hardness with respect to age and position on the bone. We conclude that the mechanical properties of the mouse bones decrease substantially with maturity, and statistically the hardness and elastic modulus are more uniform in mature bones than young ones. Surprisingly we found a similar variation in both OPN-/- and OPN+/+ bones, with no statistically significant difference in the mechanical properties of the OPN -/- and OPN+/+ bones. The results for OPN-/- and OPN+/+ mouse bones are particularly important as control of OPN activity has been postulated as a potential treatment for bone pathologies that exhibit a change in the bone mineralization, such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis and Paget's disease. Understanding the effects of OPN on bone mechanics is a vital step in the development of these new treatments.


2004 ◽  
Vol 844 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kavukcuoglu ◽  
C. West ◽  
D.T. Denhardt ◽  
A. B. Mann

ABSTRACTOsteopontin (OPN), a phosphorylated glycoprotein, is among the most abundant non-collageneous bone matrix proteins produced by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. OPN has been implicated in bone formation, resorption and remodeling. However, previous studies have presented contradictory results regarding the effect of OPN on the mechanics and microstructure of bone. This study has used nanoindentation to identify local variations in elastic modulus and hardness of OPN deficient (OPN -/-) and wild-type control (OPN+/+) mouse bones. Specifically, the study has looked at changes in the mechanical properties of OPN-/- and OPN+/+ mouse bones with the mouse's age. Cortical sections of femurs from different age groups ranging from 3 weeks to 58 weeks were tested and compared. The results suggest that there are large, abrupt variations in mechanical properties across the femur's radial section for 3-week-old mouse bone. The hardness (H) drops significantly towards the inner and outer sections so the cortical bone has a mean H=3.66 GPa with a standard deviation of 2.44 GPa. In contrast, the hardness of the 58-week-old mouse bone had a standard deviation of 0.35 GPa and a mean H=1.45 GPa. The hardness across the radial axis of the 58-week-old bone was found to be quite uniform. The elastic modulus showed similar variations to the hardness with respect to age and position on the bone. We conclude that the mechanical properties of the mouse bones decrease substantially with maturity, and statistically the hardness and elastic modulus are more uniform in mature bones than young ones. Surprisingly we found a similar variation in both OPN-/- and OPN+/+ bones, with no statistically significant difference in the mechanical properties of the OPN -/- and OPN+/+ bones. The results for OPN-/- and OPN+/+ mouse bones are particularly important as control of OPN activity has been postulated as a potential treatment for bone pathologies that exhibit a change in the bone mineralization, such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis and Paget's disease. Understanding the effects of OPN on bone mechanics is a vital step in the development of these new treatments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1706-1709
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Dumitru ◽  
Andra Cocolos ◽  
Andra Caragheorgheopol ◽  
Constantin Dumitrache ◽  
Ovidiu Gabriel Bratu ◽  
...  

There is an increased interest and more studies highlight the fact that bone strength depends not only on bone tissue quantity, but also on its quality, which is characterized by the geometry and shape of bones, trabecular bone microarchitecture, mineral content, organic matrix and bone turnover. Fibrillar type I collagen is the major organic component of bone matrix, providing form and a stable template for mineralization. The biomedical importance of collagen as a biomaterial for medical and cosmetic purposes and the improvement of the molecular, cellular biology and analytical technologies, led to increasing interest in establishing the structure of this protein and in setting of the relationships between sequence, structure, and function. Bone collagen crosslinking chemistry and its molecular packing structure are considered to be distinct features. This unique post-translational modifications provide to the fibrillar collagen matrices properties such as tensile strength and viscoelasticity. Understanding the complex structure of bone type I collagen as well as the dynamic nature of bone tissues will help to manage new therapeutic approaches to bone diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 838-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalina Icriverzi ◽  
Valentina Dinca ◽  
Magdalena Moisei ◽  
Robert W. Evans ◽  
Mihaela Trif ◽  
...  

: Among the multiple properties exhibited by lactoferrin (Lf), its involvement in bone regeneration processes is of great interest at the present time. A series of in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed the ability of Lf to promote survival, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells and to inhibit bone resorption mediated by osteoclasts. Although the mechanism underlying the action of Lf in bone cells is still not fully elucidated, it has been shown that its mode of action leading to the survival of osteoblasts is complemented by its mitogenic effect. Activation of several signalling pathways and gene expression, in an LRPdependent or independent manner, has been identified. Unlike the effects on osteoblasts, the action on osteoclasts is different, with Lf leading to a total arrest of osteoclastogenesis. : Due to the positive effect of Lf on osteoblasts, the potential use of Lf alone or in combination with different biologically active compounds in bone tissue regeneration and the treatment of bone diseases is of great interest. Since the bioavailability of Lf in vivo is poor, a nanotechnology- based strategy to improve the biological properties of Lf was developed. The investigated formulations include incorporation of Lf into collagen membranes, gelatin hydrogel, liposomes, loading onto nanofibers, porous microspheres, or coating onto silica/titan based implants. Lf has also been coupled with other biologically active compounds such as biomimetic hydroxyapatite, in order to improve the efficacy of biomaterials used in the regulation of bone homeostasis. : This review aims to provide an up-to-date review of research on the involvement of Lf in bone growth and healing and on its use as a potential therapeutic factor in bone tissue regeneration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6232
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Ozasa ◽  
Aira Matsugaki ◽  
Tadaaki Matsuzaka ◽  
Takuya Ishimoto ◽  
Hui-Suk Yun ◽  
...  

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be applied in patient-specific cell therapy to regenerate lost tissue or organ function. Anisotropic control of the structural organization in the newly generated bone matrix is pivotal for functional reconstruction during bone tissue regeneration. Recently, we revealed that hiPSC-derived osteoblasts (hiPSC-Obs) exhibit preferential alignment and organize in highly ordered bone matrices along a bone-mimetic collagen scaffold, indicating their critical role in regulating the unidirectional cellular arrangement, as well as the structural organization of regenerated bone tissue. However, it remains unclear how hiPSCs exhibit the cell properties required for oriented tissue construction. The present study aimed to characterize the properties of hiPSCs-Obs and those of their focal adhesions (FAs), which mediate the structural relationship between cells and the matrix. Our in vitro anisotropic cell culture system revealed the superior adhesion behavior of hiPSC-Obs, which exhibited accelerated cell proliferation and better cell alignment along the collagen axis compared to normal human osteoblasts. Notably, the oriented collagen scaffold stimulated FA formation along the scaffold collagen orientation. This is the first report of the superior cell adhesion behavior of hiPSC-Obs associated with the promotion of FA assembly along an anisotropic scaffold. These findings suggest a promising role for hiPSCs in enabling anisotropic bone microstructural regeneration.


1984 ◽  
Vol 259 (1) ◽  
pp. 290-293
Author(s):  
M J Glimcher ◽  
D Kossiva ◽  
D Brickley-Parsons
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thakoon Thitiset ◽  
Siriporn Damrongsakkul ◽  
Supansa Yodmuang ◽  
Wilairat Leeanansaksiri ◽  
Jirun Apinun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A novel biodegradable scaffold including gelatin (G), chitooligosaccharide (COS), and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) could play a significant part in bone tissue engineering. The present study aimed to investigate the biological characteristics of composite scaffolds in combination of G, COS, and DBM for in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal bioassays. Methods Three-dimensional scaffolds from the mixture of G, COS, and DBM were fabricated into 3 groups, namely, G, GC, and GCD using a lyophilization technique. The scaffolds were cultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for 4 weeks to determine biological responses such as cell attachment and cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, cell morphology, and cell surface elemental composition. For the in vivo bioassay, G, GC, and GCD, acellular scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in 8-week-old male Wistar rats for 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The explants were assessed for new bone formation using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and von Kossa staining. Results The MSCs could attach and proliferate on all three groups of scaffolds. Interestingly, the ALP activity of MSCs reached the greatest value on day 7 after cultured on the scaffolds, whereas the calcium assay displayed the highest level of calcium in MSCs on day 28. Furthermore, weight percentages of calcium and phosphorus on the surface of MSCs after cultivation on the GCD scaffolds increased when compared to those on other scaffolds. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that MSCs attached and proliferated on the scaffold surface thoroughly over the cultivation time. Mineral crystal aggregation was evident in GC and greatly in GCD scaffolds. H&E staining illustrated that G, GC, and GCD scaffolds displayed osteoid after 4 weeks of implantation and von Kossa staining confirmed the mineralization at 8 weeks in G, GC, and GCD scaffolds. Conclusion The MSCs cultured in GCD scaffolds revealed greater osteogenic differentiation than those cultured in G and GC scaffolds. Additionally, the G, GC, and GCD scaffolds could promote in vivo ectopic bone formation in rat model. The GCD scaffolds exhibited maximum osteoinductive capability compared with others and may be potentially used for bone regeneration.


1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 811-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Higashi ◽  
Asako Takenaka ◽  
Shin-Ichiro Takahashi ◽  
Tadashi Noguchi

It has been reported that loss of ovarian oestrogen after menopause or by ovariectomy causes osteoporosis. In order to elucidate the effect of dietary protein restriction on bone metabolism after ovariectomy, we fed ovariectomized young female rats on a casein-based diet (50g/kg diet (protein restriction) or 200g/kg diet (control)) for 3 weeks and measured mRNA contents of bone-matrix proteins such as osteocalcin, osteopontin and α1 type I collagen, insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) in femur. Ovariectomy decreased the weight of fat-free dry bone and increased urinary excretion of pyridinium cross-links significantly, although dietary protein restriction did not affect them. Neither ovariectomy nor protein restriction affected the content of mRNA of osteopontin and osteocalcin; however, ovariectomy increased and protein restriction extensively decreased the α1 type I collagen mRNA content in bone tissues. Ovariectomy increased IGF-I mRNA only in the rats fed on the control diet. Conversely, protein rest riction increased and ovariectomy decreased the IGF-II mRNA content in femur. Furthermore, the contents of IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 mRNA increased, but the content of IGFBP-3 mRNA decreased in femur of the rats fed on the protein-restricted diet. In particular, ovariectomy decreased the IGFBP-2 mRNA content in the protein-restricted rats and the IGFBP-6 mRNA content in the rats fed on the control diet. These results clearly show that the mRNA for some of the proteins which have been shown to be involved in bone formation are regulated by both quantity of dietary proteins and ovarian hormones.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document