Potential for Imaging Engineered Tissues with X-Ray Phase Contrast

Three-Dimensional Characterization of Tissue-Engineered Constructs by Contrast-Enhanced Nanofocus Computed Tomography

“…10,13 The latter approach, without the use of a contrast agent, has also been used for static or bioreactor in vitro cultures, 16,18,19 showing distinct contrast differences between the mineralized matrix and scaffold. Phase-contrast imaging [24][25][26] or micro-CT combined with osmium tetroxide as a contrast agent 28 has shown its potential to assess nonmineralized ECM in an in vitro engineered TE construct. However, the limited availability of synchrotron radiation or CT systems allowing phase-contrast imaging, the toxicity of osmium tetroxide, and the high cost associated with its disposal, all hamper their use as routine quality control for TE constructs.…”

“…22,23 Several studies have shown that when using phase-contrast imaging, in most cases only available by synchrotron radiation, the nonmineralized ECM formed in vitro in 3D TE constructs can be visualized. [24][25][26] However, routine access to systems allowing phase-contrast imaging is limited and there are restrictions on the sample specifications. On the other hand, by using the more routinely available desktop micro-CT in a standard absorption mode, without the use of a contrast agent, it has not been possible yet to visualize an in vitro produced nonmineralized ECM in 3D scaffolds.…”

“…On the other hand, by using the more routinely available desktop micro-CT in a standard absorption mode, without the use of a contrast agent, it has not been possible yet to visualize an in vitro produced nonmineralized ECM in 3D scaffolds. 24,27 To address this limitation, osmium tetroxide, 28 a well-known X-ray opaque staining, has been used to visualize cells in 3D constructs. This stain is, however, toxic to cells and thus cannot be used for noninvasive quality control of ECM growth in the TE construct.…”

Imaging Strategies for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…However, there are many advanced imaging techniques available for tissue engineers, and an increasing number of recent tissue engineering studies have begun to explore the applications of various advanced imaging modalities. [5][6][7] Advanced imaging techniques allow for noninvasive, longitudinal, and consistent monitoring of tissue-engineered constructs, thus overcoming limitations of the conventional tools.…”

1984 : on monitoring cell fate in three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

“…Another approach to improve contrast is by combining micro-CT with for example X-ray phase contrast. When these contrast related challenges can be overcome, monitoring of soft tissues and live-cells during scaffold culture can be a major future application [6,224,225]. Zhu et al have shown the application of X-ray diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) on the characterization of rapid prototyped scaffold geometry, chitosan scaffold structure and on muscle tissue morphology [225].…”