In vivo Visualisation and Quantification of Bone Resorption and Bone Formation from Time-Lapse Imaging

Mechanoregulation of bone cells was proposed over a century ago, but only now can we visualise and quantify bone resorption and bone formation and its mechanoregulation. In this review, we show how the newest advances in imaging and computational methods paved the way for this breakthrough.

Non-invasive in vivo assessment of bone resorption and bone formation was demonstrated by time-lapse micro-computed tomography in animals, and by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in humans. Coupled with micro-finite element analysis, the relationships between sites of bone resorption and bone formation and low and high tissue loading, respectively, were shown. Time-lapse in vivo imaging and computational methods enabled visualising and quantifying bone resorption and bone formation as well as its mechanoregulation. Future research includes visualising and quantifying mechanoregulation of bone resorption and bone formation from molecular to organ scales, and translating the findings into medicine using personalised bone health prognosis.