title: Motility imaging via optical coherence phase microscopy enables label-free monitoring of tissue growth and viability in 3D tissue-engineering scaffolds.
abstract: As the field of tissue engineering continues to progress, there is a deep need for non-invasive, label-free imaging technologies that can monitor tissue growth and health within thick three-dimensional (3D) constructs. Amongst the many imaging modalities under investigation, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has emerged as a promising tool, enabling non-destructive in situ characterization of scaffolds and engineered tissues. However, the lack of optical contrast between cells and scaffold materials using this technique remains a challenge. In this communication, we show that mapping the optical phase fluctuations resulting from cellular viability and motility allows for the distinction of live cells from their surrounding scaffold environment. Motility imaging was performed via a common-path optical coherence phase microscope (OCPM), an OCT modality that has been shown to be sensitive to nanometer-level fluctuations. More specifically, we examined the development of human adipose-derived stem cells and/or murine pre-osteoblasts within two distinct scaffold systems, commercially available alginate sponges and custom-microfabricated poly(d, l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibrous scaffolds. Cellular motility is demonstrated as an endogenous source of contrast for OCPM, enabling real-time, label-free monitoring of 3D engineered tissue development.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Holmes
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Tabrizian
authors: Pierre O
authors: PO
authors: Bagnaninchi
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: cell viability; micromotion; optical coherence tomography; phase fluctuation; scaffold; tissue engineering