Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Author Spotlight: The Box-Cavity Cortical Approach for Enhanced Evaluation of Biomaterials and Bone Regeneration
Published on: November 21, 2023
Different composition of leucocytes in cortical and cancellous bone healing in a mouse model
L Tätting1, O Sandberg2, M Bernhardsson1
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Orthopaedics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Objectives:
Cortical and cancellous bone healing processes appear to be histologically different. They also respond differently to anti-inflammatory agents. We investigated whether the leucocyte composition on days 3 and 5 after cortical and cancellous injuries to bone was different, and compared changes over time using day 3 as the baseline.
Methods:
Ten-week-old male C56/Bl6J mice were randomized to either cancellous injury in the proximal tibia or cortical injury in the femoral diaphysis. Regenerating tissues were analyzed with flow cytometry at days 3 and 5, using panels with 15 antibodies for common macrophage and lymphocyte markers. The cellular response from day 3 to 5 was compared in order to identify differences in how cancellous and cortical bone healing develop.
Results:
Between day 3 and 5, the granulocytes increased in the cancellous model, whereas the lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, NK cells) and monocytes (CD11b+, F4/80+, CD206+, CD14+) increased in the cortical model.
Conclusion:
These results suggest an acute type of inflammation in cancellous bone healing, and a more chronic inflammation in cortical healing. This might explain, in part, why cancellous healing is faster and more resistant to anti-inflammatory drugs than are diaphyseal fractures.Cite this article: L. Tätting, O. Sandberg, M. Bernhardsson, J. Ernerudh, P. Aspenberg. Different composition of leucocytes in cortical and cancellous bone healing in a mouse model. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:620-628. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.712.BJR-2017-0366.R2.
Related Concept Videos
Classifying Matter by Composition
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
Composite Bodies
Composite bodies have widespread applications in mechanical engineering, from automobiles to aircraft to rockets. For example, an automobile wheel comprises...
Composition of Blood
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
Composition of Body Fluids
Moments of Inertia for Composite Areas
The second moment of area, also known as the moment of inertia, measures a structure's resistance to bending. It is calculated by...
Composition of Blood Plasma

