Simultaneous 3D visualization and quantification of murine bone and bone vasculature using micro-computed tomography and vascular replica

Microsc Res Tech. 2009 Sep;72(9):690-701. doi: 10.1002/jemt.20720.

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests a close functional relationship between osteogenesis and angiogenesis as well as between bone remodeling and bone vascularization. Consequently, there is a need for visual inspection and quantitative analysis of the bone vasculature. We therefore adapted and implemented two different vascular corrosion casting (VCC) protocols using a polyurethane-based casting resin in mice for a true three-dimensional (3D), direct, and simultaneous measurement of bone tissue and vascular morphology by micro-computed tomography (microCT). For assessment of vascular replicas at the level of capillaries, a vascular contrast perfusion (VCP) protocol was devised using a contrast modality based on a barium sulfate suspension in conjunction with synchrotron radiation (SR) microCT. The vascular morphology quantified using the VCP protocol was compared quantitatively with the results of a previously established method, where the vascular network of cortical bone was derived indirectly from cortical porosity. The presented VCC and VCP protocols have the potential of serving as a valuable method for concomitant 3D quantitative morphometry of the bone tissue and its vasculature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / anatomy & histology*
  • Blood Vessels / ultrastructure
  • Bone and Bones / blood supply*
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure
  • Corrosion Casting
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed