Osteocyte bioimaging

Background Newly developed visualization methods often lead to breakthroughs in the bioscience field. In particular, the ability to reveal temporal-spatial responses in cells, while visualizing molecular events through bioimaging techniques is very important. One such event is the regulation of bone remodeling by osteocytes. It is thought that osteocyte processes sense the flow of interstitial fluid that is driven through the osteocyte canaliculi by mechanical stimuli caused in the bone. However, the precise mechanism by which the flow elicits a cellular response is still unknown. Highlight It is critical to obtain precise morphological and/or morphometrical data from osteocytes and their surrounding microenvironment. In this review, we describe our application of confocal laser scanning microscopy to visualize osteocyte morphology in the bone and the combination of ultra-high voltage electron microscopy (UHVEM) and computer simulation of fluid flow to reveal the mechanosensitivity of osteocytes in the bone. Conclusion The osteocyte network in the bone as well as the microstructure of osteocyte cell processes and the surrounding bone matrix were visualized. We found fluorescence to be useful for studying the osteocyte network morphology. Additionally, the combination of UHVEM and computer simulation is a powerful tool to study the fluid flow in osteocyte canaliculi.