The ultra-structural organization of elastic fibres in the Annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc

This dataset contains 30 image files (30 TIFF files) and a PDF with a description of each image. The total size of the dataset is 140 MB.The fibrous constituents of the annulus fibrosus (AF) in the disc contribute to its mechanical and viscoelastic properties. It was thought that elastic fibres play no substantial role in the function and properties of the disc as these fibres were irregularly distributed. Studies that have revealed highly organized elastic fibres with different regional orientation and distribution, while being strongly crosslinked with matrix, suggesting their contribution to disc structure-function properties. These studies that were performed by light microscopic analysis of histologically prepared samples, have not been able to reveal the fine-scale architectural details of the elastic fibre network. Since elastic fibres are intermingled with other fibrous components of the disc and mostly obscured by the extracellular matrix, it is difficult to demonstrate their ultra-structural organization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).A novel, simple and cost effective protocol for visualization and isolation of the elastic fibre network in the AF of the disc was developed based on simultaneous sonication and alkali digestion of tissue. The method eliminates all matrix constituents except for elastic fibres, which is applicable for different species (ovine, bovine, porcine and human), which are commonly used in disc research. This method provides the following advantages:1. Visualization of elastic fibres and their architecture in healthy, degenerated, herniated or scoliosis discs.2. Through the ultra-structural analysis, the relationship between structure and function, as well as the role of elastic fibres on AF mechanical properties can be studied.3. A three-dimensional map of elastic fibres distribution within the disc can be prepared, which would provide valuable information for designing tissue engineered scaffolds for AF repair and replacement.Date coverage: 2016 - 2017

本数据集包含30幅图像文件（30个TIFF文件）以及一份描述每幅图像的PDF文档。数据集总大小为140 MB。椎间盘（Disc）的纤维环（Annulus Fibrosus, AF）中的纤维成分对椎间盘的力学和粘弹性特性起到重要作用。传统观念认为，弹性纤维在椎间盘的功能和特性中不发挥实质性作用，因为此类纤维分布不规则。然而，一系列研究揭示了具有高度组织性、不同区域取向和分布的弹性纤维，且与基质紧密交联，暗示了它们对椎间盘结构-功能特性的贡献。这些通过光显微镜分析病理制备样本所进行的研究，未能揭示弹性纤维网络的精细结构细节。由于弹性纤维与椎间盘的其他纤维成分交织在一起，且大部分被细胞外基质所遮蔽，因此使用扫描电子显微镜（Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM）难以展示其超微结构组织。基于对组织进行同时超声波处理和碱性消化的创新、简单且成本效益高的方案被开发出来，以可视化并分离椎间盘纤维环（AF）中的弹性纤维网络。该方法除弹性纤维外，消除了所有基质成分，适用于羊、牛、猪和人类等在椎间盘研究中常用的物种。此方法具有以下优势：1. 可在健康、退变、突出或脊柱侧弯的椎间盘中对弹性纤维及其结构进行可视化。2. 通过超微结构分析，可以研究结构与功能之间的关系，以及弹性纤维对AF力学特性的作用。3. 可制备椎间盘内弹性纤维分布的三维图谱，为设计用于纤维环修复和替换的组织工程支架提供宝贵信息。数据覆盖范围：2016-2017年。