Novel use of X-ray micro computed tomography to image rat sciatic nerve and integration into scaffold.
This paper describes how specimens of nervous tissue can be prepared for successful imaging in X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (microCT), and how this method can be used to study the integration of nervous tissue into a polymeric scaffold. The sample preparation involves staining the biological tissue with osmium tetroxide to increase its X-ray attenuation, and a technique for maintaining the specimen in a moist environment during the experiment to prevent drying and shrinkage. Using this method it was possible to observe individual nerve fascicles and their relationship to the 3-D tissue structure. A scaffold supporting a regenerated sciatic nerve was similarly stained to distinguish the nervous tissue from the scaffold, and to observe how the nerve grew through a 2.5 mm long, 100 microm x 100 microm cross-section channel polyimide array. Furthermore, blood vessels could be identified in these images, and it was possible to monitor how a large proximal blood vessel split through the channel scaffold and proceeded down individual channels. This paper explains how microCT is a useful tool both for studying the location and extent of growth into a polymeric scaffold, and for determining whether the regenerated tissue has blood supply.
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
C P
CP
Watling
N
N
Lago
S
S
Benmerah
J J
JJ
FitzGerald
E
E
Tarte
S
S
McMahon
S P
SP
Lacour
R E
RE
Cameron
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials