title: Imaging of cellular spread on a three-dimensional scaffold by means of a novel cell-labeling technique for high-resolution computed tomography.
abstract: Computed tomography (CT) represents a truly three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique that can provide high-resolution images on the cellular level. Thus, one approach to detect single cells is X-ray absorption-based CT, where cells are labeled with a dense, opaque material providing the required contrast for CT imaging. Within the present work, a novel cell-labeling method has been developed showing the feasibility of labeling fixed cells with iron oxide (FeO) particles for subsequent CT imaging and quantitative morphometry. A biotin-streptavidin detection system was exploited to bind FeO particles to its target endothelial cells. The binding of the particles was predominantly close to the cell centers on 2D surfaces as shown by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and CT. When cells were cultured on porous, 3D polyurethane surfaces, significantly more FeO particles were detected compared with surfaces without cells and FeO particle labeling using CT. Here, we report on the implementation and evaluation of a novel cell detection method based on high-resolution CT. This system has potential in cell tracking for 3D in vitro imaging in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department for Mechanical and Process Engineering, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Thimm
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carretta
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008954:Models, Biological; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide