RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Real-time monitoring of mechanical cues in the regenerative niche reveal dynamic strain magnitudes that enhance bone repair
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 663278
DO 10.1101/663278
A1 Brett S. Klosterhoff
A1 Jarred Kaiser
A1 Bradley D. Nelson
A1 Salil S. Karipott
A1 Marissa A. Ruehle
A1 Scott J. Hollister
A1 Jeffrey A. Weiss
A1 Keat Ghee Ong
A1 Nick J. Willett
A1 Robert E. Guldberg
YR 2019
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/06/06/663278.abstract
AB Mechanical loads exerted on the skeleton during activities such as walking are important regulators of bone repair, but dynamic biomechanical signals are difficult to measure inside the body. The inability to measure the mechanical environment in injured tissues is a significant barrier to developing integrative regenerative and rehabilitative strategies that can accelerate recovery from fracture, segmental bone loss, and spinal fusion. Here we engineered an implantable strain sensor platform and measured strain across a bone defect in real-time throughout rehabilitation. We used the sensor to longitudinally quantify mechanical cues imparted by a load-sharing fixation plate that significantly enhanced bone regeneration in rats. We found that sensor readings correlated with the status of healing, suggesting a potential role for strain sensing as an X-ray-free healing assessment platform. This study demonstrates a promising approach to quantitatively develop and exploit mechanical rehabilitation strategies that enhance bone repair.