Nanoscale Changes in Bone Composition & Mechanics at Peri-Lacunar Regions
Microscopy and AFM-based nanoscale mechanical testing of bone tissue.
Overview
This study explored how nanoscale compositional and mechanical properties of cortical bone tissue change around osteocyte lacunae. The goal was to better understand microstructural changes related to bone fragility in postmenopausal women with Type 1 diabetes, using advanced microscopy and nanoanalysis.
Techniques
The workflow combined Laser Scanning Microscopy (LSM), Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared (AFM-IR), and nanoindentation to correlate mineral, organic matrix, and mechanical data in situ. The study leveraged paired tissue sampling and 3D image registration to localize property changes.
Key Findings
- Osteocyte lacunae regions exhibited reduced stiffness and altered mineral-to-matrix ratios.
- Changes were more pronounced in diabetic bone samples compared to healthy controls.
- Findings highlight nanoscale drivers of mechanical degradation in bone fragility diseases.
Publication
Nanoscale Properties of Cortical Bone Tissue within Peri-lacunar Regions — Microscopy and Microanalysis (2025).