Name: cantilever bending of murine femoral necks
Uploaded: 2022-01-05T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Cantilever Bending of Murine Femoral Necks at JoVE.com

The study was supported by the NIH P30AR069655 and R01AR070613 (H. A. A.).

Animal studies were approved by The University of Rochester Committee of Animal Resources. The mice used in this study were C57BL/6 males and females ranging from age 24-29 weeks of age. Mice were housed in standard conditions with food and water ad libitum. Upon euthanasia via carbon dioxide inhalation, followed by cervical dislocation, 20 right femurs (10 male and 10 female) were harvested and frozen at -20 &#176;C until tested.
1. Creation of custom 3D printed mounting guides...

<ol>
	<li>Reports of the Surgeon General. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Health+and+Osteoporosis:+A+Report+of+the+Surgeon+General.">Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General.</a> Reports of the Surgeon General. , (2004).</li><li>Veronese, N., Maggi, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epidemiology+and+social+costs+of+hip+fracture.">Epidemiology and social costs of hip fracture.</a> Injury. 49 (8), 1458-1460 (2018).</li><li>Gurumurthy, C. B., Lloyd, K. C. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generating+mouse+models+for+biomedical+research:+Technological+advances.">Generating mouse models for biomedical research: Technological advances.</a> Disease Models and Mechanisms. 12 (1), 029462 (2019).</li><li>Boymans, T. A. E. J., Veldman, H. D., Noble, P. C., Heyligers, I. C., Grimm, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+femoral+head+center+shifts+in+a+mediocaudal+direction+during+aging.">The femoral head center shifts in a mediocaudal direction during aging.</a> Journal of Arthroplasty. 2 (32), 581-586 (2017).</li><li>Voide, R., van Lenthe, G. H., Muller, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Femoral+stiffness+and+strength+critically+depend+on+loading+angle:+A+parametric+study+in+a+mouse-inbred+strain.">Femoral stiffness and strength critically depend on loading angle: A parametric study in a mouse-inbred strain.</a> Biomedical Engineering. 53 (3), 122-129 (2008).</li><li>CRC Press. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Bone Mechanics Handbook. Second end. , (2001).</li><li>Middleton, K. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+relative+importance+of+genetics+and+phenotypic+plasticity+in+dictating+bone+morphology+and+mechanics+in+aged+mice:+evidence+from+an+artificial+selection+experiment.">The relative importance of genetics and phenotypic plasticity in dictating bone morphology and mechanics in aged mice: evidence from an artificial selection experiment.</a> Zoology (Jena). 111 (2), 135-147 (2008).</li><li>Jamsa, T., Koivukangas, A., Ryhanen, J., Jalovaara, P., Tuukkanen, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Femoral+neck+is+a+sensitive+indicator+of+bone+loss+in+immobilized+hind+limb+of+mouse.">Femoral neck is a sensitive indicator of bone loss in immobilized hind limb of mouse.</a> Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 14 (10), 1708-1713 (1999).</li><li>Kamal, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomechanical+properties+of+bone+in+a+mouse+model+of+Rett+syndrome.">Biomechanical properties of bone in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.</a> Bone. 71, 106-114 (2015).</li><li>Jamsa, T., Tuukkanen, J., Jalovaara, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Femoral+neck+strength+of+mouse+in+two+loading+configurations:+Methods+evaluation+and+fracture+characteristics.">Femoral neck strength of mouse in two loading configurations: Methods evaluation and fracture characteristics.</a> Journal of Biomechanics. 31 (8), 723-729 (1998).</li><li>Brent, M. B., Bruel, A., Thomsen, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PTH+(1-34)+and+growth+hormone+in+prevention+of+disuse+osteopenia+andsarcopenia+in+rats.">PTH (1-34) and growth hormone in prevention of disuse osteopenia andsarcopenia in rats.</a> Bone. 110, 244-253 (2018).</li><li>Bromer, F. D., Brent, M. B., Pedersen, M., Thomsen, J. S., Bruel, A., Foldager, C. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+normobaric+intermittent+hypoxia+therapy+on+bone+in+normal+and+disuse+osteopenic+mice.">The effect of normobaric intermittent hypoxia therapy on bone in normal and disuse osteopenic mice.</a> High Altitude Medicine and Biology. 22 (2), 225-234 (2021).</li><li>Vegger, J. B., Bruel, A., Brent, M. B., Thomsen, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Disuse+osteopenia+induced+by+botulinum+toxin+is+similar+in+skeletally+mature+young+and+aged+female+C57BL/6J+mice.">Disuse osteopenia induced by botulinum toxin is similar in skeletally mature young and aged female C57BL/6J mice.</a> Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. 36, 170-179 (2018).</li><li>Lodberg, A., Vegger, J. B., Jensen, M. V., Larsen, C. M., Thomsen, J. S., Bruel, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immobilization+induced+osteopenia+is+strain+specific+in+mice.">Immobilization induced osteopenia is strain specific in mice.</a> Bone Reports. 2, 59-67 (2015).</li><li>Varacallo, M. A., Fox, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Osteoporosis+and+its+complications.">Osteoporosis and its complications.</a> Medical Clinics of North America. 98 (4), 817-831 (2014).</li><li>Melhus, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+osteoporosis+induced+by+ovariectomy+and+vitamin+D+deficiency+does+not+markedly+affect+fracture+healing+in+rats.">Experimental osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy and vitamin D deficiency does not markedly affect fracture healing in rats.</a> Acta Orthopaedica. 78 (3), 393-403 (2007).</li><li>Runge, W. O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bone+changes+after+short-term+whole+body+vibration+are+confined+to+cancellous+bone.">Bone changes after short-term whole body vibration are confined to cancellous bone.</a> Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. 18 (4), 485-492 (2018).</li><li>Neustadt, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Osteoporosis: A global health crisis. , (2017).</li></ol>

This protocol outlines a reliable cantilever bending test for murine femoral necks. The natural cantilever flexure scenario that occurs at the femoral neck is typically not represented in standard 3- and 4-point bending tests5. This testing method is better and more reliably replicates the type of femoral neck fractures experienced by bone fragility patients. The main focus when performing this protocol is eliminating the variability due to inconsistent potting of the femoral shaft. Critically, cl...

Fracture risk is a serious medical concern associated with osteoporosis. Over 1.5 million fragility fractures are reported each year in the United States alone, with fractures occurring in the hip, specifically the femoral neck, as the leading fracture type1. It is estimated that 18% of women and 6% of men will experience a femoral neck fracture in their lifetime2, and the mortality rate at 1 year following the fracture is greater than 20%1. Therefore, mouse models that allow biomechanical testing of the femoral neck can be suitable for studying fragility fractures. Mouse models also offer powerful tools to elucidate translatable cellular and molecular events involved in osteoporosis potentially. This is due to the availability of genetic reporters, gain and loss of function models, and the expansive library of molecular techniques and reagents. Mechanical testing of mouse bones can provide necessary outcome measures to determine bone health, genotypic and phenotypic variations that could explain the etiology of the disease, and assess therapies based on outcome measures of the quality of the bone and the risk of fracture3.
The anatomy of the femoral neck creates unique mechanical loading scenarios, which typically lead to flexural (bending) fractures. The femoral head is loaded in the acetabular socket at the proximal end of the femur. This creates a cantilever bending scenario on the femoral neck, which is rigidly attached to the femoral shaft distally4. This differs from traditional 3- or 4-point bending tests on the femoral mid-diaphysis. While these tests are helpful, they do not replicate the loading that typically leads to fragility fractures in osteopenic and osteoporotic individuals in terms of fracture location or the loading scenario.
To better assess fragility fracture risk in mice, it was sought to improve the reproducibility of cantilever bending tests of murine femoral necks. As theoretically predicted, the loading angle on the femoral head relative to the femoral shaft has been shown to significantly affect the outcome measures5, thereby creating a challenge for reliability and reproducibility of reported outcomes. To ensure proper and consistent alignment of the femurs during sample preparation, guides were designed, and 3D printed based on anatomic measurements made on &#181;CT scans of C57BL/6 mouse femurs. The guides were designed to aid in consistently potting the samples such that the femoral shaft is maintained at ~20&#176; from the vertical loading direction. This angle was chosen because it maximizes the stiffness while minimizing the maximal bending moment along the femoral shaft, which increases the likelihood of femoral neck fractures and leads to more consistent and reproducible testing5. Guides were 3D printed in various sizes to accommodate anatomical differences between samples and used to hold samples in a stable position while potting in acrylic bone cement. The stiffness, maximum force, yield force, and maximum energy were calculated from the force-displacement graphs. This testing method showed consistent results for the aforementioned biomechanical outcome. With practice and the aid of the 3D printed guide, measurement errors due to misalignment can be minimized, resulting in reliable outcome measures.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>&#188;&#8221; x &#188;&#8221; square aluminum tubing</td>
			<td>Grainger</td>
			<td>48KU67</td>
			<td>Cut to lengths of 1/2&#34; to 1&#34; lengths</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 kN load cell</td>
			<td>Instron</td>
			<td>2527-130</td>
			<td>Any load cell with sub 1 N resolution can be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3.5x-45x Zoom Stereo Boom Microscope</td>
			<td>Omano</td>
			<td>OM2300S-GX4</td>
			<td>Microscope used to precisely line up samples with loading platen.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3D printed guides</td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Angled slots at 73.13&#176;, with diameters between 1.9 mm and 2.2 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3D printed mount</td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Tapped with M10 threads to fit the mount attachment and with 2 M4 threaded holes adjacent sides to hold the aluminum tubing with sample in place.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acrylic Base Plate Material Kit</td>
			<td>Keystone Industries</td>
			<td>921392</td>
			<td>Mix 3.5 g of powder with 2 mL of liquid. This will be enough for approximately 8 samples, and will begin to harden quickly.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amira</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Used to compile &#181;CT scans</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biaxial stage</td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Used to center femoral head of sample under the loading platen.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BioMed Amber Resin</td>
			<td>formlabs</td>
			<td>RS-F2-BMAM-01</td>
			<td>Any resin from formlabs could be used for this project.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bluehill 3</td>
			<td>Instron</td>
			<td>V3.66</td>
			<td>Software used to set up loading protocol and collect load, displacement and time data.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ElectroPuls 10000</td>
			<td>Instron</td>
			<td>E10000</td>
			<td>Mechanical testing system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Faxitron UltraFocus</td>
			<td>Faxitron BioOptics</td>
			<td>2327A40311</td>
			<td>X-ray imaging system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Form 2</td>
			<td>formlabs</td>
			<td>F2</td>
			<td>Used to print the mount and guides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Form 2 Resin Tank LT</td>
			<td>formlabs</td>
			<td>RT-F2-02</td>
			<td>LT Tank was used to be compatible with the BioMed Resin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ</td>
			<td>National Institutes of Health</td>
			<td>ImageJ</td>
			<td>Used to assess &#181;CT and X-ray images</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laxco iLED Series LED Light Source</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AMPSILED30W</td>
			<td>Light source used in conjugtion with microscope.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Loading platen</td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>This can be any metal rod that is tapered to a diameter of approximately 2.5 mm. We used an M6 screw that was tapered on a lathe.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mount attachment</td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>To secure the 3D printed mount to the load cell. We used a M10/M6 threaded rod</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10010031</td>
			<td>Need to rehydrate the samples once acrylic base plate material has set.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plumber&#39;s putty</td>
			<td>Oatey</td>
			<td>31174</td>
			<td>Used to seal the end of the aluminum tubing when pouring acrylic base plate material in. Any clay or putty could be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PreForm</td>
			<td>formlabs</td>
			<td>Preform 3.15.2</td>
			<td>Formlabs software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353003</td>
			<td>Samples can be laid flat in culture dish and covered in PBS to rehydrate.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vivaCT 40</td>
			<td>Scanco</td>
			<td>&#181;CT 40</td>
			<td>Representative set or actual samples can be scanned prior to printing of guides to calculate femoral shaft angle and diameter.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

cantilever bending of murine femoral necks

Fractures in the femoral neck are a common occurrence in individuals with osteoporosis. Many mouse models have been developed to assess disease states and therapies, with biomechanical testing as a primary outcome measure. However, traditional biomechanical testing focuses on torsion or bending tests applied to the midshaft of the long bones. This is not typically the site of high-risk fractures in osteoporotic individuals. Therefore, a biomechanical testing protocol was developed that tests the femoral necks of murine femurs in cantilever bending loading to replicate better the types of fractures experienced by osteoporosis patients. Since the biomechanical outcomes are highly dependent on the flexural loading direction relative to the femoral neck, 3D printed guides were created to maintain a femoral shaft at an angle of 20&#176; relative to the loading direction. The new protocol streamlined the testing by reducing variability in alignment (21.6&#176; &plusmn; 1.5&#176;, COV = 7.1%, n = 20) and improved reproducibility in the measured biomechanical outcomes (average COV = 26.7%). The new approach using the 3D printed guides for reliable specimen alignment improves rigor and reproducibility by reducing the measurement errors due to specimen misalignment, which should minimize sample sizes in mouse studies of osteoporosis.

When potted with the aid of the guide, the femoral shafts were aligned at 21.6&#176; &#177; 1.5&#176;. While this represents &#60;10% deviation from the intended angle of 20&#176;, the coefficients of variation (COV) of the potting angle across all samples tested were 7.6% and 6.5% for male and female mice, respectively (n = 10 per group) as verified by pre-test planar x-rays (Figure 5). Additionally, the post-testing X-rays should be used to assess the mode in which the samples failed. Fail...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Cantilever Bending of Murine Femoral Necks at JoVE.com

Cantilever Bending of Murine Femoral Necks

The present protocol describes the development of a reproducible testing platform for murine femoral necks in a cantilever bending set-up. Custom 3D printed guides were used to consistently and rigidly fix the femurs in optimal alignment.

Fractures in the femoral neck are a common occurrence in individuals with osteoporosis. Many mouse models have been developed to assess disease states and ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Tissue Engineering of the Intestine in a Murine Model

Tissue-engineered small intestine (TESI) has successfully been used to rescue Lewis rats after massive small bowel resection, resulting in return to ...

Method and Instrumented Fixture for Femoral Fracture Testing in a Sideways Fall-on-the-Hip Position

Mechanical testing of femora brings valuable insights into understanding the contribution of clinically-measureable variables such as bone mineral density ...

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a significant contributor to low back pain. The IVD is a fibrocartilaginous joint that serves to transmit and ...

Isolation of Primary Murine Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) by Flow Cytometry

Isolation of Primary Murine Retinal Ganglion Cells RGCs by Flow Cytometry

Neurodegenerative diseases often have a devastating impact on those affected. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss is implicated in an array of diseases, ...

Retroductal Nanoparticle Injection to the Murine Submandibular Gland

Two common goals of salivary gland therapeutics are prevention and cure of tissue dysfunction following either autoimmune or radiation injury. By locally ...

Light-sheet Fluorescence Microscopy for the Study of the Murine Heart

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy has been widely used for rapid image acquisition with a high axial resolution from micrometer to millimeter scale. ...

A Reliable and Reproducible Critical-Sized Segmental Femoral Defect Model in Rats Stabilized with a Custom External Fixator

Orthopedic research relies heavily on animal models to study mechanisms of bone healing in vivo as well as investigate the new treatment techniques. ...

Optical Imaging of Isolated Murine Ventricular Myocytes

The ability to isolate adult cardiac myocytes has permitted researchers to study a variety of cardiac pathologies at the single cell level. While advances ...

Biomechanical Testing of Murine Tendons

Tendon disorders are common, affect people of all ages, and are often debilitating. Standard treatments, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, rehabilitation, ...

Transplantation of a 3D Bioprinted Patch in a Murine Model of Myocardial Infarction

Testing regenerative properties of 3D bioprinted cardiac patches in vivo using murine models of heart failure via permanent left anterior descending (LAD) ...