title: Contrast-enhanced microCT (EPIC-μCT) ex vivo applied to the mouse and human jaw joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is susceptive to the development of osteoarthritis (OA). More detailed knowledge of its development is essential to improve our insight into TMJ-OA. It is imperative to have a standardized reliable three-dimensional (3D) imaging method that allows for detailed assessment of both bone and cartilage in healthy and diseased joints. We aimed to determine the applicability of a contrast-enhanced microCT (µCT) technique for ex vivo research of mouse and human TMJs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent via µCT (EPIC-µCT) was previously applied for cartilage assessment in the knee joint. The method was ex vivo, applied to the mouse TMJ and adapted for the human TMJ.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EPIC-µCT (30-min immersion time) was applied to mouse mandibular condyles, and 3D imaging revealed an average cartilage thickness of 110 ± 16 µm. These measurements via EPIC-µCT were similar to the histomorphometric measures (113 ± 19 µm). For human healthy OA-affected TMJ samples, the protocol was adjusted to an immersion time of 1 h. 3D imaging revealed a significant thicker cartilage layer in joints with early signs of OA compared with healthy joints (414.2 ± 122.6 and 239.7 ± 50.5 µm, respectively). A subsequent significant thinner layer was found in human joints with late signs of OA (197.4 ± 159.7 µm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EPIC-µCT technique is effective for the ex vivo assessment of 3D cartilage morphology in the mouse as well as human TMJ and allows bone-cartilage interaction research in TMJ-OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Cell Biology and Functional Anatomy, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: G A P
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Renders
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: G E J
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Langenbach
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Koolstra
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Guldberg
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Everts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007485:Ioxaglic Acid
keywords: Hexabrix; articular cartilage; osteoarthritis; temporomandibular joint