Identification of Type-H-like Blood Vessels in a Dynamic and Controlled Model of Osteogenesis in Rabbit Calvarium
Laurine Marger,
Nicolas Liaudet,
Susanne S. Scherrer,
Nicolo-Constantino Brembilla,
Olivier Preynat-Seauve,
Daniel Manoil,
Mustapha Mekki,
Stéphane Durual
Affiliations
Laurine Marger
Biomaterials Laboratory, Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Nicolas Liaudet
Bioimaging Core Facility, University of Geneva, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Susanne S. Scherrer
Biomaterials Laboratory, Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Nicolo-Constantino Brembilla
Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Olivier Preynat-Seauve
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Daniel Manoil
Division of Cariology and Endodontics, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Mustapha Mekki
Biomaterials Laboratory, Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Stéphane Durual
Biomaterials Laboratory, Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Angiogenesis and bone regeneration are closely interconnected processes. Whereas type-H blood vessels are abundantly found in the osteogenic zones during endochondral long bone development, their presence in flat bones’ development involving intramembranous mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that type-H-like capillaries that highly express CD31 and Endomucin (EMCN), may be present at sites of intramembranous bone development and participate in the control of osteogenesis. A rabbit model of calvarial bone augmentation was used in which bone growth was controlled over time (2–4 weeks) using a particulate bone scaffold. The model allowed the visualization of the entire spectrum of stages throughout bone growth in the same sample, i.e., active ossification, osteogenic activity, and controlled inflammation. Using systematic mRNA hybridization, the formation of capillaries subpopulations (CD31–EMCN staining) over time was studied and correlated with the presence of osteogenic precursors (Osterix staining). Type-H-like capillaries strongly expressing CD31 and EMCN were identified and described. Their presence increased gradually from the regenerative zone up to the osteogenic zone, at 2 and 4 weeks. Type-H-like capillaries may thus represent the initial vascular support encountered in flat bones’ development and which organize osteogenic niches.
