Reviewed by Lexie CornerDec 2 2024
Brian Eames, a professor of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology at the USask College of Medicine, found that phase contrast imaging (PCI) can detect subtle changes in cartilage. This research was published in Biofabrication and PLOS One.
Image Credit: Marko Aliaksandr/Shutterstock.com
Research by USask scientist Brian Eames and colleagues suggests that an imaging method, currently only available at synchrotrons like the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Light Source, could eventually allow doctors to detect osteoarthritis in patients while they are still undergoing medication treatment—before joint replacement becomes necessary.
Eames explains that the technology, which uses the synchrotron's high-energy light, provides highly detailed imaging of cartilage.
In their most recent study, Eames and his team, including Daniel Chen (College of Engineering), Ali Honoramooz (Western College of Veterinary Medicine), Bill Dust (College of Medicine), and PhD student Hamed Alizadeh, used phase contrast imaging (PCI) to explore how effectively 3D-bioprinted cartilage can repair damaged joints.
The researchers compared the efficacy of cells embedded in two different materials: a hybrid construct combining hydrogel with a stiff plastic material and a softer substance known as hydrogel. They hypothesized that the hybrid construct would better protect the cells in the healing joint from external stresses, promoting the development of hyaline cartilage.
When the materials were implanted into animal joints, both promoted the growth of new cartilage, with hydrogel showing slightly better results in some measurements. However, the hybrid construct had one key advantage: it produced less fibrocartilage, supporting the team’s hypothesis. Fibrocartilage, which forms under joint stress, is a tougher type of cartilage. Less fibrocartilage is beneficial for improving joint function.
In a previous study, Eames found that PCI’s higher resolution allowed for more precise mapping of the articular cartilage surface than MRI, which is currently the primary imaging technology for osteoarthritis.
While both sets of results are significant, Eames is particularly excited about the potential to integrate PCI into clinical practice. PCI’s accuracy and ability to detect small changes could help identify osteoarthritis earlier than standard clinical monitoring, providing doctors with more treatment options and offering researchers new targets for drug development.
Although a synchrotron the size of a football field will never be a standard feature in hospital imaging suites, Eames notes that several companies are already working on making the technology portable for clinical use.
The [CLS] is a nice test case for the technology that others can try to adapt for clinical use in humans.
Brian Eames, Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Detecting osteoarthritis before patients need joint replacement
Detecting osteoarthritis before patients need joint replacement. Video Credit: Canadian Light Source
Journal References:
Sardroud, H. A. et. al. (2024) Comparison study on hyaline cartilage versus fibrocartilage formation in a pig model by using 3D-bioprinted hydrogel and hybrid constructs. Biofabrication. doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/ad88a6
Sardroud, H. A. et. al. (2024) MRI overestimates articular cartilage thickness and volume compared to synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging. Plos One. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291757