This study presents an X-ray computed nanotomography (nano-CT) based, high-resolution imaging technique. Thanks to a voxel resolution of 540 nm, this novel technique is suitable for observing the 3D morphology of soft biopolymeric scaffolds seeded with stem cells. A sample of highly porous collagen scaffold seeded with contrasted mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was investigated by using lab-based nano-CT. The whole volume of the sample was analysed without its destruction. To evaluate the potential of nano-CT, a comparison measurement was done using a standard microscopy technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) established an extension and local accumulation of the contrasting agent - heavy metallic osmium tetroxide. The presented imaging technique is novel as it will help to understand better the behaviour of cells while interacting with three-dimensional biomaterials. This is crucial for both experimental and clinical tissue engineering applications in order to limit the risk of uncontrolled cell growth, and potentially tumour formation. LAY DESCRIPTION: Biomaterials play a crucial role in tissue engineering by serving as 3D scaffolds for cellular attachment, proliferation, and in growth ultimately leading to new tissue formation. Cell morphology and proliferation inside the 3D scaffold are necessary to know for assessing cell viability. However, these studies are usually negatively affected by the limitations of imaging techniques. We demonstrate that X-ray computed nanotomography (nano-CT), based on high-resolution imaging technique providing voxel resolution of 540 nm, is a suitable method for observing the 3D morphology of soft biopolymeric scaffolds seeded with stem cells. A sample of highly porous collagen scaffold seeded with contrasted mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was investigated by using a lab-based nano-CT. The whole volume of the sample was analysed without its destruction. To evaluate the potential of nano-CT, a comparison measurement was done using a standard microscopy technique. Scanning electron microscopy in a combination with energy dispersive X-ray analysis established an extension and local accumulation of the contrasting agent - heavy metallic osmium tetroxide. The presented imaging technique is novel as it will help to understand better the behaviour of cells while interacting with three-dimensional biomaterials. This is crucial for both experimental and clinical tissue engineering applications in order to limit the risk of uncontrolled cell growth, and potentially tumour formation.

• MeSH
• biokompatibilní materiály MeSH
• buněčné kultury MeSH
• kolagen chemie   MeSH
• králíci MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky ultrastruktura   MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací metody   MeSH
• poréznost MeSH
• rentgenová mikrotomografie metody   MeSH
• tkáňové podpůrné struktury * MeSH
• viabilita buněk MeSH
• zobrazování trojrozměrné metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH