Name: Analyzing the Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) Images of Murine Trabecular Bone Tissue
Uploaded: 2023-09-08T14:10:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Analyzing the Hematoxylin-Eosin HE Images of Murine Trabecular Bone Tissue at JoVE.com

analyzing the hematoxylin-eosin (he) images of murine trabecular bone tissue

HE Staining and Micro-CT to Evaluate Murine Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture

Osteoporosis is a prevalent metabolic bone disease, especially among the elderly, and is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. As osteoporosis becomes more common in China1, there will be a growing demand for studying the bone structures of small animals2,3. The previous methods of measuring bone loss rely on the outcomes of two-dimensional dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. However, this does not capture the changes in the architectural microstructure of the trabecular bone, which is a key factor for skeletal strength4. The microstructure of bone affects its strength, stiffness, and fracture resistance. By comparing bone microarchitecture in normal and pathological states, changes in bone tissue morphology, structure, and function caused by osteoporosis can be identified. This information contributes to the understanding of the development of osteoporosis and its association with other diseases. 
Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) imaging has recently become a popular technique for bone morphology assessment, where it can provide accurate and comprehensive data on bone structure and density parameters such as bone volume fraction, thickness, and separation5,6. At the same time, the Micro-CT results can be affected by the analysis software7. Different methods of image acquisition, evaluation, and reporting are used by various commercial Micro-CT systems. This inconsistency makes it hard to compare and interpret the results reported by different studies5. Also, it cannot currently replace bone histomorphometry in providing researchers with information on cellular-level parameters in the skeletal system8. Meanwhile, histologic techniques allow direct observation and measurement of the microscopic morphology of bone. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining is a common staining technique used in histology to visualize the general structure of cells and tissues. It is used to identify the presence of bone tissue and its microarchitecture.
This article uses Micro-CT combined with tissue slicing technique (Hematoxylin-Eosin [HE] staining) to collect bone tissue images and perform quantitative analysis of trabecular bone to evaluate the changes of bone microstructure in an osteoporosis mouse model.

Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model 

Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Evaluation in an Osteoporosis Mouse Model

Our research focused on the effects of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, on osteoporosis. We are trying to explore the mechanism, efficacy, and safety of TCM intervention for osteoporosis. Micro-computed tomography imaging has recently become a popular technique for bone morphology assessment.It can provide accurate and comprehensive data on bone structure and density parameters, such as bone volume, fracture thickness, and separation. The skeletal system is the most unique tissue structure in terms of the physical properties of the body. It contains the inorganic component arginine calcium phosphate, and it is hard and stiff as a result.The process of hurting bone symptoms is tedious. We provided a complete and detailed process from modeling to osteoporosis in evaluation for researchers. We believe the application of the technology will undoubtedly bring great improvements to osteoporosis research in the context of ethnomedicine exploration.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Analyzing the Hematoxylin-Eosin HE Images of Murine Trabecular Bone Tissue at JoVE.com

Analyzing the Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) Images of Murine Trabecular Bone Tissue

To begin analysis of the Hematoxylin and Eosin or HE images of the mouse bone tissue, open the HE images with case viewer software. Select the region of interest or ROI on the slide and save it as a color image. Then open the image in image J.Select the wand tool from the toolbar, and click on the trabecular bone.To adjust the tolerance and contiguous settings as needed, go to image, then adjustments, followed by black and white. And click okay. Repeat the steps for other areas of the bone.Invert the selection and fill it with white color. Sequentially click on process binary and convert to mask to convert the color image to a binary image. Use a plugin in the software to analyze structural parameters.Run area by volume fraction to calculate bone volume to total volume of bone. The histopathological analysis performed by HE staining of mice femur showed the trabecular bones under the growth plate of the distal femur were reduced in the ovariectomized osteoporosis model mice when compared to the sham operated group. The quantitative analysis of tissue sections also indicated that the OVX mice had less trabecular bone area than those in the sham group.

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Bone microstructure refers to the arrangement and quality of bone tissue at the microscopic level. Understanding the bone microstructure of the skeleton ...