One of the most challenging problems in osteogenic 3D-tissue engineering is, to quantify the amount of new hydroxylapatite deposition. 18F-NaF-Labeling is a new, high-sensitive method to proof and quantify the osteogenic potential of hMSCs in an in vitro 3D-model.
18F-labeled sodium fluorine was the first widely used agent for skeletal scintigraphy in the 1960s. 18F-NaF is rapidly exchanged for hydroxylgroups of the hydroxylapatite, covalently binding to the surface of new bone, which results in the formation of fluoroapatite. Three dimensional scaffolds are used to favor osteogenic differentiation of precursor cells. Cell-loaded scaffolds are investigated for their healing potential of critical size bone defects. Assessing the osteogenic potential of MSCs in 3D-in vitro cultures is of major interest in tissue engineering in order to maximise bone formation in vitro and in vivo. One of the most challenging problems is, to quantify directly the amount of new hydroxylapatite deposition without destroying the evaluated cell-loaded scaffold. Within this abstract, we present a novel, non-destructive, high-sensitive method to quantify the amount of local hydroxylapatite deposition in 3D-cultures using 18F-NaF.Summary Statement
Introduction
