Postembedding Decalcification of Mineralized Tissue Sections Preserves the Integrity of Implanted Biomaterials and Minimizes Number of Experimental Animals

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Thaqif El Khassawna - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Diaa Eldin S. Daghma - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Sabine Stoetzel - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Seemun Ray - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Stefanie Kern - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Deeksha Malhan - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Volker Alt - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Ulrich Thormann - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Anja Henß - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Marcus Rohnke - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Annette Stengel - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Fathi Hassan - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Stefan Maenz - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Klaus D. Jandt - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Michael Diefenbeck - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Matthias Schumacher - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Michael Gelinsky - , Centre for translational bone, joint and soft tissue research (Author)
  • Katrin Susanne Lips - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Christian Heiss - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)

Abstract

Bone histology of decalcified or undecalcified samples depends on the investigation. However, in research each method provides different information to answer the scientific question. Decalcification is the first step after sample fixation and governs what analysis is later feasible on the sections. Besides, decalcification is favored for immunostaining and in situ hybridization. Otherwise, sample decalcification can be damaging to bone biomaterials implants that contains calcium or strontium. On the other hand, after decalcification mineralization cannot be assessed using histology or imaging mass spectrometry. The current study provides a solution to the hardship caused by material presence within the bone tissue. The protocol presents a possibility of gaining sequential and alternating decalcified and undecalcified sections from the same bone sample. In this manner, investigations using histology, protein signaling, in situ hybridization, and mass spectrometry on the same sample can better answer the intended research question. Indeed, decalcification of sections and grindings resulted in well-preserved sample and biomaterials integrity. Immunostaining was comparable to that of classically decalcified samples. The study offers a novel approach that incites correlative analysis on the same sample and reduces the number of processed samples whether clinical biopsies or experimental animals.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2023853
JournalBioMed research international
Volume2017
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 28424781
ORCID /0000-0001-9075-5121/work/160048012