Proton and Carbon Ion Irradiation Changes the Process of Endochondral Ossification in an Ex Vivo Femur Organotypic Culture Model (original) (raw)

Particle therapy (PT) that utilizes protons and carbon ions offers a promising way to reduce the side effects of radiation oncology, especially in pediatric patients. To investigate the influence of PT on growing bone, we exposed an organotypic rat ex vivo femur culture model to PT. After irradiation, histological staining, immunohistochemical staining, and gene expression analysis were conducted following 1 or 14 days of in vitro culture (DIV). Our data indicated a significant loss of proliferating chondrocytes at 1 DIV, which was followed by regeneration attempts through chondrocytic cluster formation at 14 DIV. Accelerated levels of mineralization were observed, which correlated with increased proteoglycan production and secretion into the pericellular matrix. Col2α1 expression, which increased during the cultivation period, was significantly inhibited by PT. Additionally, the decrease in ColX expression over time was more pronounced compared to the non-IR control. The chondrogen...