Imperial College London

ProfessorSaraRankin

Faculty of MedicineNational Heart & Lung Institute

Professor of Leukocyte and Stem Cell Biology
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 7594 3172s.rankin

 
 
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Assistant

 

Ms Georgina Moss +44 (0)20 7594 2151

 
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Location

 

Office no. 351Sir Alexander Fleming BuildingSouth Kensington Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Clark:2020:10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007,
author = {Clark, J and Garbout, A and Rodrigues, Mendes Ferreira S and Javaheri, B and Pitsillides, A and Rankin, S and Jeffers, J and Hansen, U},
doi = {10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007},
journal = {Osteoarthritis and Cartilage},
pages = {102--111},
title = {Propagation phase-contrast micro-computed tomography allows laboratory-based three-dimensional imaging of articular cartilage down to the cellular level},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007},
volume = {28},
year = {2020}
}

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB - ObjectiveHigh-resolution non-invasive three-dimensional (3D) imaging of chondrocytes in articular cartilage remains elusive. The aim of this study was to explore whether laboratory micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) permits imaging cells within articular cartilage.DesignBovine osteochondral plugs were prepared four ways: in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 70% ethanol (EtOH), both with or without phosphotungstic acid (PTA) staining. Specimens were imaged with micro-CT following two protocols: 1) absorption contrast (AC) imaging 2) propagation phase-contrast (PPC) imaging. All samples were scanned in liquid. The contrast to noise ratio (C/N) of cellular features quantified scan quality and were statistically analysed. Cellular features resolved by micro-CT were validated by standard histology.ResultsThe highest quality images were obtained using propagation phase-contrast imaging and PTA-staining in 70% EtOH. Cellular features were also visualised when stained in PBS and unstained in EtOH. Under all conditions PPC resulted in greater contrast than AC (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.038). Simultaneous imaging of cartilage and subchondral bone did not impede image quality. Corresponding features were located in both histology and micro-CT and followed the same distribution with similar density and roundness values.ConclusionsThree-dimensional visualisation and quantification of the chondrocyte population within articular cartilage can be achieved across a field of view of several millimetres using laboratory-based micro-CT. The ability to map chondrocytes in 3D opens possibilities for research in fields from skeletal development through to medical device design and treatment of cartilage degeneration.
AU - Clark,J
AU - Garbout,A
AU - Rodrigues,Mendes Ferreira S
AU - Javaheri,B
AU - Pitsillides,A
AU - Rankin,S
AU - Jeffers,J
AU - Hansen,U
DO - 10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007
EP - 111
PY - 2020///
SN - 1063-4584
SP - 102
TI - Propagation phase-contrast micro-computed tomography allows laboratory-based three-dimensional imaging of articular cartilage down to the cellular level
T2 - Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458419312427?via%3Dihub
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/73778
VL - 28
ER -