Different composition of leucocytes in cortical and cancellous bone healing in a mouse model

Objectives Cortical and cancellous bone healing processes appear to be histologically different. They also respond differently to anti-inflammatory agents. We investigated whether the leucocyte composition on days 3 and 5 after cortical and cancellous injuries to bone was different, and compared changes over time using day 3 as the baseline. Methods Ten-week-old male C56/B16J mice were randomized to either cancellous injury in the proximal tibia or cortical injury in the femoral diaphysis. Regenerating tissues were analyzed with flow cytometry at days 3 and 5, using panels with 15 antibodies for common macrophage and lymphocyte markers. The cellular response from day 3 to 5 was compared in order to identify differences in how cancellous and cortical bone healing develop. Results Between day 3 and 5, the granulocytes increased in the cancellous model, whereas the lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, NK cells) and monocytes (CD11b+, 14/80+, CD206+, CD14+ ) increased in the cortical model. Conclusion These results suggest an acute type of inflammation in cancellous bone healing, and a more chronic inflammation in cortical healing. This might explain, in part, why cancellous healing is faster and more resistant to anti-inflammatory drugs than are diaphyseal fractures.