To investigate and assess bone regeneration in sheep in combination with new implant materials classical histological staining methods as well as immunohistochemistry may provide additional information to standard radiographs or computer tomography. Available published data of bone defect regenerations in sheep often present none or sparely labeled histological images. Repeatedly, the exact location of the sample remains unclear, detail enlargements are missing and the labeling of different tissues or cells is absent. The aim of this article is to present an overview of sample preparation, staining methods and their benefits as well as a detailed histological description of bone regeneration in the sheep tibia. General histological staining methods like hematoxylin and eosin, Masson-Goldner trichrome, Movat’s pentachrome and alcian blue were used to define new bone formation within a sheep tibia critical size defect containing a polycaprolactone-co-lactide (PCL) scaffold implanted for 3 months (n = 4). Special attention was drawn to describe the bone healing patterns down to cell level. Additionally one histological quantification method and immunohistochemical staining methods are described.

To investigate and assess bone regeneration in sheep in combination with new implant materials classical histological staining methods as well as immunohistochemistry may provide additional information to standard radiographs or computer tomography. Available published data of bone defect regenerations in sheep often present none or sparely labeled histological images. Repeatedly, the exact location of the sample remains unclear, detail enlargements are missing and the labeling of different tissues or cells is absent. The aim of this article is to present an overview of sample preparation, staining methods and their benefits as well as a detailed histological description of bone regeneration in the sheep tibia. General histological staining methods like hematoxylin and eosin, Masson-Goldner trichrome, Movat’s pentachrome and alcian blue were used to define new bone formation within a sheep tibia critical size defect containing a polycaprolactone-co-lactide (PCL) scaffold implanted for 3 months (n = 4). Special attention was drawn to describe the bone healing patterns down to cell level. Additionally one histological quantification method and immunohistochemical staining methods are described.

Avec plus de 2 millions d’interventions chirurgicales par an dans le monde, les actes de chirurgie osseuse sont les plus fréquents, ce qui pousse les entreprises du secteur des biomatériaux pour la régénération osseuse à investir massivement pour sans cesse améliorer leurs produits. Cette thèse est issue d’un contrat CIFRE effectué avec l’entreprise Kasios afin de l’aider dans le développement de céramiques et polymères poreux principalement pour des applications en chirurgie maxillo-faciale. Les travaux réalisés s’articulent autour du développement de biomatériaux biphasiques à base de phosphate tricalcique béta (β-TCP). En premier lieu, des microfibres de polycaprolactone (PCL) incorporant des particules élémentaires de β-TCP ont été fabriquées par électrospinning. Les principales applications des fibres concernent la régénération osseuse guidée pour la préservation alvéolaire ou les opérations de relevés de sinus. L’électrospinning des fibres a utilisé des solvants ne présentant pas de toxicité aiguë. Les fibres ont formé des membranes manipulables qui peuvent être facilement découpées et suturées même en environnement humide. Les études in vitro n’ont révélé aucune cytotoxicité et les membranes ont permis la prolifération de cellules ostéoblastiques. La seconde étude a permis la fabrication d’éponges de gélatine et d’acide hyaluronique saturées ou recouvertes en surface de granules de β-TCP pour le comblement alvéolaire. Les éponges étaient facilement façonnables pour correspondre à l’alvéole du patient. Le chirurgien pourrait alors bénéficier de la nature biphasique du dispositif médical afin de faciliter l’implantation et éviter la manipulation séparée des éponges et des granules. L’utilisation des éponges permettrait par ailleurs d’assurer un positionnement idéal des granules pour la cicatrisation alvéolaire. La troisième étude, plus fondamentale, porte sur l’interaction des cellules osseuses avec le β-TCP et sa résorption. Des études de biomécanique et de biodégradation ainsi que de biodissolution ont également été réalisées sur des biomatériaux produits par l’entreprise. / With more than 2 million surgeries per year, bone tissue is one of the most concerned tissues and biomaterial companies have developed massive investments to continually improve bone regeneration.This thesis was conducted during a CIFRE contract (a tripartite contract linking a student, a university and acompany) and was done in association with the company Kasios for the development of new porous polymers and ceramics. This thesis was specifically centered in the development of biphasic biomaterials based upon beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). First, polycaprolacton (PCL) microfibers incorporating β-TCP elementary particles were produced using electrospinning. These fibers were developed to provide membranes for guided bone regeneration usable in alveolar preservation and sinus lifting. Electrospinning of the fibers did not require any high toxicity solvent. Our fibers formed membranes that could easily be handled, cut and sutured in dry and wet environment. In vitrocytotoxicity studies confirmed the non-toxic nature of the material and showed the ability of the membranes to encourage survival and proliferation of osteoblastic cells. Secondly, freeze-dried gelatin and hyaluronicacid sponges saturated or embedded with β-TCP granules were developed for alveolar filling. Theses ponges could easily be shaped to fit the patient’s dental socket. The biphasic nature of the sponges could make the implantation easier and faster by avoiding surgeons to handle separately the granules and the sponges. This medical device could also insure a correct and optimal positioning of the granules for the patient healing. Lastly, a fundamental study was conducted on resorption of β-TCP and the interaction between bone cells and the biomaterial. Biomechanical and biodegradation/biodissolution studies were also done on different types of biomaterials produced by the company.

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the bioactive, surface-coated polycaprolactone-co-lactide scaffolds as bone implants in a tibia critical size defect model. Polycaprolactone-co-lactide scaffolds were coated with collagen type I and chondroitin sulfate and 30 piled up polycaprolactone-co-lactide scaffolds were implanted into a 3 cm sheep tibia critical size defect for 3 or 12 months (n¼5 each). Bone healing was estimated by quantification of bone volume in the defects on computer tomography and microcomputer tomography scans, plain radiographs, biomechanical testing as well as by histological evaluations. New bone formation occurred at the proximal and distal ends of the tibia in both groups. The current pilot study revealed a mean new bone formation of 63% and 172% after 3 and 12 months, respectively. The bioactive, surface coated, highly porous three-dimensional polycaprolactone-co-lactide scaffold stack itself acted as a guide rail for new bone formation along and into the implant. These preliminary data are encouraging for future experiments with a larger group of animals.