Size does matter: an integrative in vivo-in silico approach for the treatment of critical size bone defects.

ABSTRACT: Although bone has a unique restorative capacity, i.e., it has the potential to heal scarlessly, the conditions for spontaneous bone healing are not always present, leading to a delayed union or a non-union. In this work, we use an integrative in vivo-in silico approach to investigate the occurrence of non-unions, as well as to design possible treatment strategies thereof. The gap size of the domain geometry of a previously published mathematical model was enlarged in order to study the complex interplay of blood vessel formation, oxygen supply, growth factors and cell proliferation on the final healing outcome in large bone defects. The multiscale oxygen model was not only able to capture the essential aspects of in vivo non-unions, it also assisted in understanding the underlying mechanis

SUBMITTER: Carlier A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4222588 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature