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Roberts BC, Cheong VS, Oliviero S, Arredondo Carrera HM, Wang N, Gartland A, Dall'Ara E. Combining PTH(1-34) and mechanical loading has increased benefit to tibia bone mechanics in ovariectomised mice. J Orthop Res 2024; 42:1254-1266. [PMID: 38151816 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Combined treatment with PTH(1-34) and mechanical loading confers increased structural benefits to bone than monotherapies. However, it remains unclear how this longitudinal adaptation affects the bone mechanics. This study quantified the individual and combined longitudinal effects of PTH(1-34) and mechanical loading on the bone stiffness and strength evaluated in vivo with validated micro-finite element (microFE) models. C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomised at 14-week-old and treated either with injections of PTH(1-34), compressive tibia loading or both interventions concurrently. Right tibiae were in vivo microCT-scanned every 2 weeks from 14 until 24-week-old. MicroCT images were rigidly registered to reference tibia and the cortical organ level (whole bone) and tissue level (midshaft) morphometric properties and bone mineral content were quantified. MicroCT images were converted into voxel-based homogeneous, linear elastic microFE models to estimate the bone stiffness and strength. This approach allowed us for the first time to quantify the longitudinal changes in mechanical properties induced by combined treatments in a model of accelerated bone resorption. Both changes of stiffness and strength were higher with co-treatment than with individual therapies, consistent with increased benefits with the tibia bone mineral content and cortical area, properties strongly associated with the tibia mechanics. The longitudinal data shows that the two bone anabolics, both individually and combined, had persistent benefit on estimated mechanical properties, and that benefits (increased stiffness and strength) remained after treatment was withdrawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryant C Roberts
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Adelaide Microscopy, Division of Research and Innovation, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vee San Cheong
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sara Oliviero
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Ning Wang
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alison Gartland
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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2
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Farage-O’Reilly SM, Cheong VS, Pickering E, Pivonka P, Bellantuono I, Kadirkamanathan V, Dall’Ara E. The loading direction dramatically affects the mechanical properties of the mouse tibia. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1335955. [PMID: 38380263 PMCID: PMC10877372 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1335955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The in vivo tibial loading mouse model has been extensively used to evaluate bone adaptation in the tibia after mechanical loading treatment. However, there is a prevailing assumption that the load is applied axially to the tibia. The aim of this in silico study was to evaluate how much the apparent mechanical properties of the mouse tibia are affected by the loading direction, by using a validated micro-finite element (micro-FE) model of mice which have been ovariectomized and exposed to external mechanical loading over a two-week period. Methods: Longitudinal micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images were taken of the tibiae of eleven ovariectomized mice at ages 18 and 20 weeks. Six of the mice underwent a mechanical loading treatment at age 19 weeks. Micro-FE models were generated, based on the segmented micro-CT images. Three models using unitary loads were linearly combined to simulate a range of loading directions, generated as a function of the angle from the inferior-superior axis (θ, 0°-30° range, 5° steps) and the angle from the anterior-posterior axis (ϕ, 0°: anterior axis, positive anticlockwise, 0°-355° range, 5° steps). The minimum principal strain was calculated and used to estimate the failure load, by linearly scaling the strain until 10% of the nodes reached the critical strain level of -14,420 με. The apparent bone stiffness was calculated as the ratio between the axial applied force and the average displacement along the longitudinal direction, for the loaded nodes. Results: The results demonstrated a high sensitivity of the mouse tibia to the loading direction across all groups and time points. Higher failure loads were found for several loading directions (θ = 10°, ϕ 205°-210°) than for the nominal axial case (θ = 0°, ϕ = 0°), highlighting adaptation of the bone for loading directions far from the nominal axial one. Conclusion: These results suggest that in studies which use mouse tibia, the loading direction can significantly impact the failure load. Thus, the magnitude and direction of the applied load should be well controlled during the experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saira Mary Farage-O’Reilly
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Vee San Cheong
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Future Health Technologies Programme, Singapore-ETH Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Edmund Pickering
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter Pivonka
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ilaria Bellantuono
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Visakan Kadirkamanathan
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Dall’Ara
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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3
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Miller CJ, Pickering E, Martelli S, Dall'Ara E, Delisser P, Pivonka P. Cortical bone adaptation response is region specific, but not peak load dependent: insights from μ CT image analysis and mechanostat simulations of the mouse tibia loading model. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:287-304. [PMID: 37851203 PMCID: PMC10901956 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01775-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The two major aims of the present study were: (i) quantify localised cortical bone adaptation at the surface level using contralateral endpoint imaging data and image analysis techniques, and (ii) investigate whether cortical bone adaptation responses are universal or region specific and dependent on the respective peak load. For this purpose, we re-analyse previously published μ CT data of the mouse tibia loading model that investigated bone adaptation in response to sciatic neurectomy and various peak load magnitudes (F = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 N). A beam theory-based approach was developed to simulate cortical bone adaptation in different sections of the tibia, using longitudinal strains as the adaptive stimuli. We developed four mechanostat models: universal, surface-based, strain directional-based, and combined surface and strain direction-based. Rates of bone adaptation in these mechanostat models were computed using an optimisation procedure (131,606 total simulations), performed on a single load case (F = 10 N). Subsequently, the models were validated against the remaining six peak loads. Our findings indicate that local bone adaptation responses are quasi-linear and bone region specific. The mechanostat model which accounted for differences in endosteal and periosteal regions and strain directions (i.e. tensile versus compressive) produced the lowest root mean squared error between simulated and experimental data for all loads, with a combined prediction accuracy of 76.6, 55.0 and 80.7% for periosteal, endosteal, and cortical thickness measurements (in the midshaft of the tibia). The largest root mean squared errors were observed in the transitional loads, i.e. F = 2 to 6 N, where inter-animal variability was highest. Finally, while endpoint imaging studies provide great insights into organ level bone adaptation responses, the between animal and loaded versus control limb variability make simulations of local surface-based adaptation responses challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Miller
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Edmund Pickering
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Saulo Martelli
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism and Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Peter Pivonka
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
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Ning B, Londono I, Laporte C, Villemure I. Zoledronate reduces loading-induced microdamage in cortical ulna of ovariectomized rats. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 150:106350. [PMID: 38171139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
As a daily physiological mechanism in bone, microdamage accumulation dissipates energy and helps to prevent fractures. However, excessive damage accumulation might bring adverse effects to bone mechanical properties, which is especially problematic among the osteoporotic and osteopenic patients treated by bisphosphonates. Some pre-clinical studies in the literature applied forelimb loading models to produce well-controlled microdamage in cortical bone. Ovariectomized animals were also extensively studied to assimilate human conditions of estrogen-related bone loss. In the present study, we combined both experimental models to investigate microdamage accumulation in the context of osteopenia and zoledronate treatment. Three-month-old normal and ovariectomized rats treated by saline or zoledronate underwent controlled compressive loading on their right forelimb to create in vivo microdamage, which was then quantified by barium sulfate contrast-enhanced micro-CT imaging. Weekly in vivo micro-CT scans were taken to evaluate bone (re)modeling and to capture microstructural changes over time. After sacrifice, three-point-bending tests were performed to assess bone mechanical properties. Results show that the zoledronate treatment can reduce cortical microdamage accumulation in ovariectomized rats, which might be explained by the enhancement of several bone structural properties such as ultimate force, yield force, cortical bone area and volume. The rats showed increased bone formation volume and surface after the generation of microdamage, especially for the normal and the ovariectomized groups. Woven bone formation was also observed in loaded ulnae, which was most significant in ovariectomized rats. Although all the rats showed strong correlations between periosteal bone formation and microdamage accumulation, the correlation levels were lower for the zoledronate-treated groups, potentially because of their lower levels of microdamage. The present study provides insights to further investigations of pharmaceutical treatments for osteoporosis and osteopenia. The same experimental concept can be applied in future studies on microdamage and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohao Ning
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, P.O. Box 6079, Station Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3A7, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Irène Londono
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Catherine Laporte
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Electrical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montréal, QC, H3C 1K3, Canada
| | - Isabelle Villemure
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, P.O. Box 6079, Station Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3A7, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
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5
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Buccino F, Zagra L, Longo E, D'Amico L, Banfi G, Berto F, Tromba G, Vergani LM. Osteoporosis and Covid-19: Detected similarities in bone lacunar-level alterations via combined AI and advanced synchrotron testing. MATERIALS & DESIGN 2023; 231:112087. [PMID: 37323219 PMCID: PMC10257887 DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.112087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While advanced imaging strategies have improved the diagnosis of bone-related pathologies, early signs of bone alterations remain difficult to detect. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought attention to the need for a better understanding of bone micro-scale toughening and weakening phenomena. This study used an artificial intelligence-based tool to automatically investigate and validate four clinical hypotheses by examining osteocyte lacunae on a large scale with synchrotron image-guided failure assessment. The findings indicate that trabecular bone features exhibit intrinsic variability related to external loading, micro-scale bone characteristics affect fracture initiation and propagation, osteoporosis signs can be detected at the micro-scale through changes in osteocyte lacunar features, and Covid-19 worsens micro-scale porosities in a statistically significant manner similar to the osteoporotic condition. Incorporating these findings with existing clinical and diagnostic tools could prevent micro-scale damages from progressing into critical fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Buccino
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156, Italy
| | - Luigi Zagra
- I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio, Milano 20157, Italy
| | - Elena Longo
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Amico
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Banfi
- I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio, Milano 20157, Italy
| | - Filippo Berto
- Università La Sapienza, Rome 00185, Italy
- NTNU, Norway
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
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6
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Harrison KD, Sales E, Hiebert BD, Panahifar A, Zhu N, Arnason T, Swekla KJ, Pivonka P, Chapman LD, Cooper DM. Direct Assessment of Rabbit Cortical Bone Basic Multicellular Unit Longitudinal Erosion Rate: A 4D Synchrotron-Based Approach. J Bone Miner Res 2022; 37:2244-2258. [PMID: 36069373 PMCID: PMC10091719 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cortical bone remodeling is carried out by basic multicellular units (BMUs), which couple resorption to formation. Although fluorochrome labeling has facilitated study of BMU formative parameters since the 1960s, some resorptive parameters, including the longitudinal erosion rate (LER), have remained beyond reach of direct measurement. Indeed, our only insights into this spatiotemporal parameter of BMU behavior come from classical studies that indirectly inferred LER. Here, we demonstrate a 4D in vivo method to directly measure LER through in-line phase contrast synchrotron imaging. The tibias of rabbits (n = 15) dosed daily with parathyroid hormone were first imaged in vivo (synchrotron micro-CT; day 15) and then ex vivo 14 days later (conventional micro-CT; day 29). Mean LER assessed by landmarking the co-registered scans was 23.69 ± 1.73 μm/d. This novel approach holds great promise for the direct study of the spatiotemporal coordination of bone remodeling, its role in diseases such as osteoporosis, as well as related treatments. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim D Harrison
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Erika Sales
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Beverly D Hiebert
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Arash Panahifar
- BioMedical Imaging and Therapy Beamline, Canadian Light Source, Saskatoon, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Ning Zhu
- BioMedical Imaging and Therapy Beamline, Canadian Light Source, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Terra Arnason
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Kurtis J Swekla
- Animal Care and Research Support Office, Office of the Vice President of Research, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Peter Pivonka
- School of Mechanical, Medical, and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - L Dean Chapman
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - David Ml Cooper
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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7
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Liu J, Yao Q, Peng Y, Dong Z, Tang L, Su X, Liu L, Chen C, Ramalingam M, Cheng L. Identification of Small-Molecule Inhibitors for Osteosarcoma Targeted Therapy: Synchronizing In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Analyses. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:921107. [PMID: 35814015 PMCID: PMC9260275 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.921107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to explore a new approach for the treatment of osteosarcoma through combining biomaterials with next-generation small molecule–based targeted therapy. Methods: The model of osteosarcoma was established by 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (4-HAQO) in mice while the collagen-thermosensitive hydrogel–calcium phosphate (CTC) biocomposites were prepared, and the small molecule inhibitors were virtually screened and synthesized. Then, for the osteosarcoma cell line, MG-63 cells were used to validate our bioinformatic findings in vitro, and the mouse osteosarcoma models were treated by combing CTC composites and small-molecule inhibitors after debridement. Results: Five compounds, namely, ZINC150338698, ZINC14768621, ZINC4217203, ZINC169291448, and ZINC85537017, were found in the ZINK database. Finally, ZINC150338698 was selected for chemical synthesis and experimental verification. The results of the MTT assay and Hoechst staining showed that the small-molecule inhibitor ZINC150338698 could significantly induce MG-63 cell death. Furthermore, CTC composites and ZINC150338698 could repair the bone defects well after the debridement of osteosarcoma. In addition, the biomaterials and small-molecule inhibitors have good biocompatibility and biosafety. Conclusion: Our findings not only offer systems biology approach-based drug target identification but also provide new clues for developing novel treatment methods for future osteosarcoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Yao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Peng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhihong Dong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Tang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Su
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lishuang Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Murugan Ramalingam
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering, Department of Nanobiomedical Science, BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Murugan Ramalingam, ; Lijia Cheng,
| | - Lijia Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Hospital, School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Murugan Ramalingam, ; Lijia Cheng,
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Oliviero S, Millard E, Chen Z, Rayson A, Roberts B, Ismail H, Bellantuono I, Dall’Ara E. Accuracy of in vivo microCT imaging in assessing the microstructural properties of the mouse tibia subchondral bone. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1016321. [PMID: 36714558 PMCID: PMC9874301 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1016321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases. OA is characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage as well as the underlying subchondral bone. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a subset of OA caused by mechanical trauma. Mouse models, such as destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), are useful to study PTOA. Ex vivo micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) imaging is the predominant technique used to scan the mouse knee in OA studies. Nevertheless, in vivo microCT enables the longitudinal assessment of bone microstructure, reducing measurement variability and number of animals required. The effect of image resolution in measuring subchondral bone parameters was previously evaluated only for a limited number of parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of in vivo microCT imaging in measuring the microstructural properties of the mouse tibia trabecular and cortical subchondral bone, with respect to ex vivo high resolution imaging, in a DMM model of PTOA. Sixteen male C57BL/6J mice received DMM surgery or sham operation at 14 weeks of age (N=8 per group). The right knee of each mouse was microCT scanned in vivo (10.4μm voxel size) and ex vivo (4.35μm voxel size) at the age of 26 weeks. Each image was aligned to a reference image using rigid registration. The subchondral cortical bone plate thickness was measured at the lateral and medial condyles. Standard morphometric parameters were measured in the subchondral trabecular bone. In vivo microCT imaging led to significant underestimation of bone volume fraction (-14%), bone surface density (-3%) and trabecular number (-16%), whereas trabecular thickness (+3%) and separation (+5%) were significantly overestimated. Nevertheless, most trabecular parameters measured in vivo were well correlated with ex vivo measurements (R2 = 0.69-0.81). Degree of anisotropy, structure model index and connectivity density were measured in vivo with lower accuracy. Excellent accuracy was found for cortical thickness measurements. In conclusion, this study identified what bone morphological parameters can be reliably measured by in vivo microCT imaging of the subchondral bone in the mouse tibia. It highlights that this approach can be used to study longitudinal effects of diseases and treatments on the subchondral cortical bone and on most subchondral trabecular bone parameters, but systematic over- or under-estimations should be considered when interpreting the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Oliviero
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Millard
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Z. Chen
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - A. Rayson
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - B.C. Roberts
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - H.M.S. Ismail
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - I. Bellantuono
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - E. Dall’Ara
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: E. Dall’Ara,
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9
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Oliviero S, Cheong VS, Roberts BC, Orozco Diaz CA, Griffiths W, Bellantuono I, Dall’Ara E. Reproducibility of Densitometric and Biomechanical Assessment of the Mouse Tibia From In Vivo Micro-CT Images. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:915938. [PMID: 35846342 PMCID: PMC9282377 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.915938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventions for bone diseases (e.g. osteoporosis) require testing in animal models before clinical translation and the mouse tibia is among the most common tested anatomical sites. In vivo micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) based measurements of the geometrical and densitometric properties are non-invasive and therefore constitute an important tool in preclinical studies. Moreover, validated micro-Finite Element (microFE) models can be used for predicting the bone mechanical properties non-invasively. However, considering that the image processing pipeline requires operator-dependant steps, the reproducibility of these measurements has to be assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of several bone parameters measured from microCT images. Ten in vivo microCT images of the right tibia of five mice (at 18 and 22 weeks of age) were processed. One experienced operator (intra-operator analysis) and three different operators (inter-operator) aligned each image to a reference through a rigid registration and selected a volume of interest below the growth plate. From each image the following parameters were measured: total bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), BMC in 40 subregions (ten longitudinal sections, four quadrants), microFE-based stiffness and failure load. Intra-operator reproducibility was acceptable for all parameters (precision error, PE < 3.71%), with lowest reproducibility for stiffness (3.06% at week 18, 3.71% at week 22). The inter-operator reproducibility was slightly lower (PE < 4.25%), although still acceptable for assessing the properties of most interventions. The lowest reproducibility was found for BMC in the lateral sector at the midshaft (PE = 4.25%). Densitometric parameters were more reproducible than most standard morphometric parameters calculated in the proximal trabecular bone. In conclusion, microCT and microFE models provide reproducible measurements for non-invasive assessment of the mouse tibia properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Oliviero
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Medical Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vee San Cheong
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Bryant C. Roberts
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Amnael Orozco Diaz
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - William Griffiths
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Bellantuono
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Dall’Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Enrico Dall’Ara,
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10
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Schmidt FN, Hahn M, Stockhausen KE, Rolvien T, Schmidt C, Knopp T, Schulze C, Püschel K, Amling M, Busse B. Influence of X-rays and gamma-rays on the mechanical performance of human bone factoring out intraindividual bone structure and composition indices. Mater Today Bio 2021; 13:100169. [PMID: 34927043 PMCID: PMC8649390 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Doses of irradiation above 25 kGy are known to cause irreversible mechanical decay in bone tissue. However, the impact of irradiation doses absorbed in a clinical setting on the mechanical properties of bone remains unclear. In daily clinical practice and research, patients and specimens are exposed to irradiation due to diagnostic imaging tools, with doses ranging from milligray to Gray. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of irradiation at these doses ranges on the mechanical performance of bone independent of inter-individual bone quality indices. Therefore, cortical bone specimens (n = 10 per group) from a selected organ donor were irradiated at doses of milligray, Gray and kilogray (graft tissue sterilization) at five different irradiation doses. Three-point bending was performed to assess mechanical properties in the study groups. Our results show a severe reduction in mechanical performance (work to fracture: 50.29 ± 11.49 Nmm in control, 14.73 ± 1.84 Nmm at 31.2 kGy p ≤ 0.05) at high irradiation doses of 31.2 kGy, which correspond to graft tissue sterilization or synchrotron imaging. In contrast, no reduction in mechanical properties were detected for doses below 30 Gy. These findings are further supported by fracture surface texture imaging (i.e. more brittle fracture textures above 31.2 kGy). Our findings show that high radiation doses (≥31.2 kGy) severely alter the mechanical properties of bone. Thus, irradiation of this order of magnitude should be taken into account when mechanical analyses are planned after irradiation. However, doses of 30 Gy and below, which are common for clinical and experimental imaging (e.g., radiation therapy, DVT imaging, CT imaging, HR-pQCT imaging, DXA measurements, etc.), do not alter the mechanical bending-behavior of bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix N. Schmidt
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), Forum Medical Technology Health Hamburg (FMTHH), Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hahn
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kilian E. Stockhausen
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim Rolvien
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Constantin Schmidt
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Knopp
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), Forum Medical Technology Health Hamburg (FMTHH), Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Section for Biomedical Imaging, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 55, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Schulze
- Institute for Synaptic Physiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Falkenried 94, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Püschel
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Amling
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Björn Busse
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), Forum Medical Technology Health Hamburg (FMTHH), Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Corresponding author. Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestrasse 59, 22529, Hamburg, Germany.
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11
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Cheong VS, Roberts BC, Kadirkamanathan V, Dall'Ara E. Positive interactions of mechanical loading and PTH treatments on spatio-temporal bone remodelling. Acta Biomater 2021; 136:291-305. [PMID: 34563722 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal diseases, but current therapies are limited to generalized antiresorptive or anabolic interventions, which do not target regions that would benefit from improvements to skeletal health. To improve the evaluation of treatment plans, we used a spatio-temporal multiscale approach that combines longitudinal in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and in silico subject-specific finite element modeling to quantitatively map bone adaptation changes due to disease and treatment at high resolution. Our findings show time and region-dependent modifications in bone remodelling following one and two sets of mechanical loading and/or pharmacological interventions. The multiscale results highlighted that the distal section was unaffected by mechanical loading alone but the proximal tibia had the greatest gain from positive interactions of combined therapies. Mechanical loading abated the catabolic effect of PTH, but the main benefit of combined treatments occurred from the additive interactions of the two therapies in periosteal apposition. These results provide detailed insight into the efficacy of combined treatments, facilitating the optimisation of dosage and treatment duration in preclinical mouse studies, and the development of novel interventions for skeletal diseases. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Combined mechanical loading and pharmacotherapy have the potential to slow osteoporosis-induced bone loss but current therapies do not target the regions in need of strengthening. We show for the first time spatial region-dependant interactions between PTH and mechanical loading treatment in OVX mouse tibiae, highlighting local regions in the tibia that benefitted from separate and combined treatments. Combined experimental-computational analysis also detailed the lasting period of each treatment per location in the tibia, the extent of positive (or negative) interactions of the combined therapies, and the impact of each treatment on the regulation of bone adaptation spatio-temporally. This approach can be used to create hypothesis about the interactions of different treatments to optimise the design of biomaterials and medical interventions.
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12
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Foessl I, Bassett JHD, Bjørnerem Å, Busse B, Calado Â, Chavassieux P, Christou M, Douni E, Fiedler IAK, Fonseca JE, Hassler E, Högler W, Kague E, Karasik D, Khashayar P, Langdahl BL, Leitch VD, Lopes P, Markozannes G, McGuigan FEA, Medina-Gomez C, Ntzani E, Oei L, Ohlsson C, Szulc P, Tobias JH, Trajanoska K, Tuzun Ş, Valjevac A, van Rietbergen B, Williams GR, Zekic T, Rivadeneira F, Obermayer-Pietsch B. Bone Phenotyping Approaches in Human, Mice and Zebrafish - Expert Overview of the EU Cost Action GEMSTONE ("GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal traits TranslatiOnal NEtwork"). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:720728. [PMID: 34925226 PMCID: PMC8672201 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.720728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A synoptic overview of scientific methods applied in bone and associated research fields across species has yet to be published. Experts from the EU Cost Action GEMSTONE ("GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal Traits translational Network") Working Group 2 present an overview of the routine techniques as well as clinical and research approaches employed to characterize bone phenotypes in humans and selected animal models (mice and zebrafish) of health and disease. The goal is consolidation of knowledge and a map for future research. This expert paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art technologies to investigate bone properties in humans and animals - including their strengths and weaknesses. New research methodologies are outlined and future strategies are discussed to combine phenotypic with rapidly developing -omics data in order to advance musculoskeletal research and move towards "personalised medicine".
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Foessl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Endocrine Lab Platform, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - J. H. Duncan Bassett
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Åshild Bjørnerem
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Norwegian Research Centre for Women’s Health, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Björn Busse
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ângelo Calado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Maria Christou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Douni
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Imke A. K. Fiedler
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - João Eurico Fonseca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon Academic Medical Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eva Hassler
- Division of Neuroradiology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Högler
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Erika Kague
- The School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - David Karasik
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Patricia Khashayar
- Center for Microsystems Technology, Imec and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bente L. Langdahl
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Victoria D. Leitch
- Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Philippe Lopes
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Georgios Markozannes
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | | | - Evangelia Ntzani
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Center for Research Synthesis in Health, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Ling Oei
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Drug Treatment, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pawel Szulc
- INSERM UMR 1033, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jonathan H. Tobias
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Katerina Trajanoska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Şansın Tuzun
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Amina Valjevac
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Bert van Rietbergen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Graham R. Williams
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tatjana Zekic
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Endocrine Lab Platform, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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13
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Cheong VS, Kadirkamanathan V, Dall'Ara E. The Role of the Loading Condition in Predictions of Bone Adaptation in a Mouse Tibial Loading Model. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:676867. [PMID: 34178966 PMCID: PMC8225949 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.676867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vivo mouse tibial loading model is used to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical loading treatment against skeletal diseases. Although studies have correlated bone adaptation with the induced mechanical stimulus, predictions of bone remodeling remained poor, and the interaction between external and physiological loading in engendering bone changes have not been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of passive mechanical loading on the strain distribution in the mouse tibia and its predictions of bone adaptation. Longitudinal micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging was performed over 2 weeks of cyclic loading from weeks 18 to 22 of age, to quantify the shape change, remodeling, and changes in densitometric properties. Micro-CT based finite element analysis coupled with an optimization algorithm for bone remodeling was used to predict bone adaptation under physiological loads, nominal 12N axial load and combined nominal 12N axial load superimposed to the physiological load. The results showed that despite large differences in the strain energy density magnitudes and distributions across the tibial length, the overall accuracy of the model and the spatial match were similar for all evaluated loading conditions. Predictions of densitometric properties were most similar to the experimental data for combined loading, followed closely by physiological loading conditions, despite no significant difference between these two predicted groups. However, all predicted densitometric properties were significantly different for the 12N and the combined loading conditions. The results suggest that computational modeling of bone's adaptive response to passive mechanical loading should include the contribution of daily physiological load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vee San Cheong
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Visakan Kadirkamanathan
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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14
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Oliviero S, Roberts M, Owen R, Reilly GC, Bellantuono I, Dall'Ara E. Non-invasive prediction of the mouse tibia mechanical properties from microCT images: comparison between different finite element models. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:941-955. [PMID: 33523337 PMCID: PMC8154847 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
New treatments for bone diseases require testing in animal models before clinical translation, and the mouse tibia is among the most common models. In vivo micro-Computed Tomography (microCT)-based micro-Finite Element (microFE) models can be used for predicting the bone strength non-invasively, after proper validation against experimental data. Different modelling techniques can be used to estimate the bone properties, and the accuracy associated with each is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of different microCT-based microFE models to predict the mechanical properties of the mouse tibia under compressive load. Twenty tibiae were microCT scanned at 10.4 µm voxel size and subsequently compressed at 0.03 mm/s until failure. Stiffness and failure load were measured from the load-displacement curves. Different microFE models were generated from each microCT image, with hexahedral or tetrahedral mesh, and homogeneous or heterogeneous material properties. Prediction accuracy was comparable among models. The best correlations between experimental and predicted mechanical properties, as well as lower errors, were obtained for hexahedral models with homogeneous material properties. Experimental stiffness and predicted stiffness were reasonably well correlated (R2 = 0.53-0.65, average error of 13-17%). A lower correlation was found for failure load (R2 = 0.21-0.48, average error of 9-15%). Experimental and predicted mechanical properties normalized by the total bone mass were strongly correlated (R2 = 0.75-0.80 for stiffness, R2 = 0.55-0.81 for failure load). In conclusion, hexahedral models with homogeneous material properties based on in vivo microCT images were shown to best predict the mechanical properties of the mouse tibia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Oliviero
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Roberts
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - R Owen
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, UK
| | - G C Reilly
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - I Bellantuono
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - E Dall'Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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15
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Buccino F, Colombo C, Vergani LM. A Review on Multiscale Bone Damage: From the Clinical to the Research Perspective. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:1240. [PMID: 33807961 PMCID: PMC7962058 DOI: 10.3390/ma14051240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of bone damage processes is a crucial point to understand the mechanisms of age-related bone fractures. In order to reduce their impact, early diagnosis is key. The intricate architecture of bone and the complexity of multiscale damage processes make fracture prediction an ambitious goal. This review, supported by a detailed analysis of bone damage physical principles, aims at presenting a critical overview of how multiscale imaging techniques could be used to implement reliable and validated numerical tools for the study and prediction of bone fractures. While macro- and meso-scale imaging find applications in clinical practice, micro- and nano-scale imaging are commonly used only for research purposes, with the objective to extract fragility indexes. Those images are used as a source for multiscale computational damage models. As an example, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images in combination with micro-finite element models could shed some light on the comprehension of the interaction between micro-cracks and micro-scale bone features. As future insights, the actual state of technology suggests that these models could be a potential substitute for invasive clinical practice for the prediction of age-related bone fractures. However, the translation to clinical practice requires experimental validation, which is still in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Maria Vergani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20154 Milano, Italy; (F.B.); (C.C.)
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16
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Oliviero S, Owen R, Reilly GC, Bellantuono I, Dall'Ara E. Optimization of the failure criterion in micro-Finite Element models of the mouse tibia for the non-invasive prediction of its failure load in preclinical applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 113:104190. [PMID: 33191174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
New treatments against osteoporosis require testing in animal models and the mouse tibia is among the most common studied anatomical sites. In vivo micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) based micro-Finite Element (microFE) models can be used for predicting the bone strength non-invasively, after proper validation against experiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of different microCT-based bone parameters and microFE models to predict tibial structural mechanical properties in compression. Twenty tibiae were scanned at 10.4 μm voxel size and subsequently tested in uniaxial compression at 0.03 mm/s until failure. Stiffness and failure load were measured from the load-displacement curves. Standard morphometric parameters were measured from the microCT images. The spatial distribution of bone mineral content (BMC) was evaluated by dividing the tibia into 40 regions. MicroFE models were generated by converting each microCT image into a voxel-based mesh with homogeneous isotropic material properties. Failure load was estimated by using different failure criteria, and the optimized parameters were selected by minimising the errors with respect to experimental measurements. Experimental and predicted stiffness were moderately correlated (R2 = 0.65, error = 14% ± 8%). Normalized failure load was best predicted by microFE models (R2 = 0.81, error = 9% ± 6%). Failure load was not correlated to the morphometric parameters and weakly correlated with some geometrical parameters (R2 < 0.37). In conclusion, microFE models can improve the current estimation of the mouse tibia structural properties and in this study an optimal failure criterion has been defined. Since it is a non-invasive method, this approach can be applied longitudinally for evaluating temporal changes in the bone strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Oliviero
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - R Owen
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, UK; Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, UK
| | - G C Reilly
- INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - I Bellantuono
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK; Healthy Lifespan Institute, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - E Dall'Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, UK.
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17
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Cheong VS, Roberts BC, Kadirkamanathan V, Dall'Ara E. Bone remodelling in the mouse tibia is spatio-temporally modulated by oestrogen deficiency and external mechanical loading: A combined in vivo/in silico study. Acta Biomater 2020; 116:302-317. [PMID: 32911105 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporosis disrupts the healthy remodelling process in bone and affects its mechanical properties. Mechanical loading has been shown to be effective in stimulating bone formation to mitigate initial bone loss. However, no study has investigated the effects of repeated mechanical loading, with a pause of one week in between, in the mouse tibia with oestrogen deficiency. This study uses a combined experimental and computational approach, through longitudinal monitoring with micro-computed tomography, to evaluate the effects of loading on bone adaptation in the tibiae of ovariectomised (OVX) C57BL/6 mice from 14 to 22 weeks of age. Micro-FE models coupled with bone adaptation algorithms were used to estimate changes in local tissue strains due to OVX and mechanical loading, and to quantify the relationship between local strain and remodelling. The first in vivo mechanical loading increased apposition, by 50-150%, while resorption decreased by 50-60%. Both endosteal and periosteal resorption increased despite the second mechanical loading, and periosteal resorption was up to 70% higher than that after the first loading. This was found to correlate with an initial decrease in average strain energy density after the first loading, which was lower and more localised after the second loading. Predictions of bone adaptation showed that between 50 and 90% of the load-induced bone apposition is linearly strain driven at the organ-level, but resorption is more biologically driven at the local level. The results imply that a systematic increase in peak load or loading rate may be required to achieve a similar bone adaptation rate in specific regions of interests.
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18
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Roberts BC, Arredondo Carrera HM, Zanjani-Pour S, Boudiffa M, Wang N, Gartland A, Dall'Ara E. PTH(1-34) treatment and/or mechanical loading have different osteogenic effects on the trabecular and cortical bone in the ovariectomized C57BL/6 mouse. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8889. [PMID: 32483372 PMCID: PMC7264307 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65921-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In preclinical mouse models, a synergistic anabolic response to PTH(1–34) and tibia loading was shown. Whether combined treatment improves bone properties with oestrogen deficiency, a cardinal feature of osteoporosis, remains unknown. This study quantified the individual and combined longitudinal effects of PTH(1–34) and loading on the bone morphometric and densitometric properties in ovariectomised mice. C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomised at 14-weeks-old and treated either with injections of PTH(1–34); compressive loading of the right tibia; both interventions concurrently; or both interventions on alternating weeks. Right tibiae were microCT-scanned from 14 until 24-weeks-old. Trabecular metaphyseal and cortical midshaft morphometric properties, and bone mineral content (BMC) in 40 different regions of the tibia were measured. Mice treated only with loading showed the highest trabecular bone volume fraction at week 22. Cortical thickness was higher with co-treatment than in the mice treated with PTH alone. In the mid-diaphysis, increases in BMC were significantly higher with loading than PTH. In ovariectomised mice, the osteogenic benefits of co-treatment on the trabecular bone were lower than loading alone. However, combined interventions had increased, albeit regionally-dependent, benefits to cortical bone. Increased benefits were largest in the mid-diaphysis and postero-laterally, regions subjected to higher strains under compressive loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryant C Roberts
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom. .,Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Hector M Arredondo Carrera
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,MRC Arthritis Research UK, Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Sahand Zanjani-Pour
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Boudiffa
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,MRC Arthritis Research UK, Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,MRC Arthritis Research UK, Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Gartland
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,MRC Arthritis Research UK, Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Dall'Ara
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,MRC Arthritis Research UK, Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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