Spectral and photobleaching analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy: a comparison of modern and archaeological bone fluorescence

    Authors

    C. Maggiano; T. Dupras; M. Schultz;J. Biggerstaff

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Mol. Cell. Probes

    Keywords

    microscopy; archaeology; fluorescence; photobleaching; tetracycline; bone; TETRACYCLINE; OXYTETRACYCLINE; SECTIONS; KINETICS; TISSUE; Biochemical Research Methods; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Cell Biology

    Abstract

    Since the 1950s, tetracycline (TC) administration has been used to create fluorescent 'labels' in bone for histomorphometric analysis. Similar fluorescence discovered in ancient human bone from Egypt and Sudan has been attributed to bacterially contaminated food-stores. It has been suggested that TC from this source could have affected the health of exposed ancient populations. However, no efficient means for the quantitative comparison of fluorescent labels within or between individuals or populations has been proposed. In the current study, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was shown to be an effective tool for fluorescence detection and spectral analysis in bone. Well-preserved archaeological bone recovered from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt was compared to modem pig bone labeled with tetracycline and stained decalcified do bone. TC fluorescence, whether archaeological or modem, was accurately identifiable by its spectrum. Photobleaching experiments suggest some difference exists in the photoresilience of archaeological and modern TC labels and that scans of one plane and area of focus can be made for more than an hour without complete loss of signal intensity. Results encourage the use of CLSM imaging and spectral analysis for further study on the nature of fluorescence in ancient and modem bone. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Molecular and Cellular Probes

    Volume

    20

    Issue/Number

    3-4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    154

    Last Page

    162

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000238113600002

    ISSN

    0890-8508

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