A new open-source tool for measuring 3D osteocyte lacunar geometries from confocal laser scanning microscopy reveals age-related changes to lacunar size and shape in cortical mouse bone.

ABSTRACT: Osteocytes can participate in systemic mineral homeostasis through perilacunar maintenance and remodeling, where changes to osteocyte lacunar morphology may affect bone structural integrity, tissue strains, and osteocyte mechanosensitivity. Though aging is associated with both decreased bone quality and altered mineral metabolism, it is not known if osteocyte lacunae undergo age-related changes in geometry. In order to survey lacunar changes with age, we developed an open-source program whereby 3D osteocyte lacunae are automatically segmented and then subsequently reconstructed from confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) depth stacks for quantitative analysis of geometry and orientation. This approach takes advantage of the availability and speed of CLSM while avoiding time-consuming an

SUBMITTER: Heveran CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5878731 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature