Objective To establish a model of the human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured under the hypoxic condition in adults and to investigate the biological features of MSCs under hypoxia.Methods The bone marrow was obtained by aspiration at the posterior superior iliac spine in 3 healthy adult subjects. hMSCs were isolated by the gradient centrifugation and were cultured in the DMEM-LG that contained 20％ fetal bovine serum. The serial subcultivation was performed 10-14 days later. The second passage of the hMSCs were taken, and they were divided into the following 4 groups according to the oxygen concentrations and the medium types: the normoxic group（20％O2, DMEM-LG, Group A）, the hypoxic group（1％O2, DMEM-LG,Group B）, the normoxic osteoblast induction group（20％O2, conditioned medium, Group C）, and the hypoxic osteoblast induction group（1％O2, conditioned medium, Group D）. The biological features of the cultured hMSCs under hypoxia were assessed bythe cell count, the MTT method, the colony forming unit-fibroblast, the real-time RT-PCR, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the alizarinred staining. Results The hMSCs cultured in the Group B and Group D had a significantly higher proliferation rate than those in the Group A (Plt;0.01), and the culture effect was not influenced by the medium type. The hMSCs in the Group B had a significantly higher level of the colony-forming unit capability than the hMSCs cultured in the Group A(Plt;0.01). After the induction, hMSCs in the Group B had a decreasednumber of the osteoblasts than hMSCs in the Group C. The hMSCs in the Group D had a gradually-increasedactivity of ALP, which was significantly lower than that in the Group C(Plt;0.01). The RT-PCR examination revealed that ALP,osteocalcin, and mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅰ and osteonectin in the Group Csignificantly increased （P＜0.01). By comparisonamong the 3 groups, after the 4-week culture the obvious calcium salt deposit and the red-stained calcium nodus could be observed.ConclusionHypoxia can promote the proliferation rate of hMSCs, enhance the colonyforming ability and inhibit the differentiation of the osteoblasts.
Objective To investigate the biocompatibility of diamond-like carbon(DLC) coated NickelTitanium shape memory alloy with osteoblasts cultured invitro. Methods Rabbit’s osteoblasts were incubated with DLCcoated NickelTitanium shape memory alloy disks and uncoated ones of equal size for 5 days. The control group（without shape memory alloy in culture media） was performed simultaneously. The cultured cells were counted and graphed. The samples from culture media were collected and the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and nickel（Ni2+） were measured from the 1st to 5th day respectively. Results The proliferation of osteoblasts and the concentration of ALP in both DLC-coated group and control gruop was higher than uncoated group. The proliferation of osteoblasts on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th day in both DLC-coatedgroup and control group was significantly higher than that in the uncoated group(P＜0.05). The concentration of ALP in DLC-coated group on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th day and in the control group on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th day was significantly higher than that in the uncoated group(P＜0.05). The concentration of Ni2+ on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th day was significantly lower than that in the uncoated group(P＜0.05). Conclusion DLC- coated NickelTitanium shape memory alloys appears to have better biocompatibility with osteoblast cultured in vitro compared to uncoated ones.
Abstract An experiment was carried out to investigate the possibility of the establishment of an osteoblasts bank which could supply osteoblasts in repairing bone defect. Osteoblasts were isolated from thetibial periosteum of eight New-Zealand rabbits and cultured in votro. A bone defect, 1.5cm in length was made in both radii of each of the 8 rabbits. The cultivated osteoblasts, gelfoam as a carrier were randomly implanted into the defects of the radii of rabbits. Accordingly, the contralateral radial defects wereimplanted with gelfoam absorbed with the Hanks solution as control. The healing of bone defects was evaluated by roentgenographic examination at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after operation, respectively. It was shown that the implanted cells had osteogenetic capability and could be possible to promote healing of the bone defects. It was suggested that further study needed to be carried out in this field.
ObjectiveTo review the osteoclasts (OC) function beyond bone resorption. MethodsThe related literature on OC function beyond bone resorption was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. ResultsOC control the bone formation through releasing of matrix-derived growth factors, bidirectional cell-to-cell signals, and secreting OC-coupling factors, and play an important role in the niche formation, hematopoietic stem cells mobilization, and maintenance of its quantity and function;besides, OCs also regulate angiogenesis. ConclusionThese discoveries greatly enrich the current knowledge of OC function and open up an all-new research domain. However, the exact regulatory mechanism of OC affecting the hematopoiesis is still lack in-depth understood. Additionally, it remains to be elucidated how OC-coupling factors act on osteoblast lineage differentiation and how OC-induced angiogenesis participates in physiological and pathological processes. Unclosing the underlying mechanisms will facilitate providing scientific therapeutic strategies for treatment of many OC-related diseases.
Objective To explore the paracrine effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on dexamethasone-induced inhibition of osteoblast function in vitro. Methods The serum free conditioned medium of mouse BMSCs cultured for 24 hours was prepared for spare use. The 3rd passage of MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into 4 groups: the control group (group A), dexamethasone group (group B), dexamethasone+BMSCs conditioned medium (1:1) group (group C), and BMSCs conditioned medium group (group D). After 24 hours of culture, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) content was determined; the protein expressions of RUNX2 and Osteocalcin were detected by Western blot; and the gene expressions of collagen type I-α 1 (COL1A1), RUNX2, ALP, and Osteocalcin were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR); alizarin red staining was used to observe calcium nodules formation at 21 days. Results After cultured for 24 hours, ALP content was significantly lower in groups B, C, and D than group A, and in group B than groups C and D (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P > 0.05). The relative protein expression of RUNX2 of group B was significantly lower than that of groups A, C, and D (P < 0.05), but difference was not significant between groups A, C, and D (P > 0.05). The relative protein expression of Osteocalcin was significantly lower in group B than groups A, C, and D, in groups A and C than group D (P < 0.05), but difference had no significance between groups A and C (P > 0.05). The relative gene expressions of RUNX2, Osteocalcin, COL1A1, and ALP of groups B, C, and D were significantly lower than those of group A (P < 0.05); the relative gene expressions of RUNX2, Osteocalcin, and ALP were significantly higher in group D than groups B and C, in group C than group B (P < 0.05). The gene expression of COL1A1 was significantly higher in group D than group B (P < 0.05), but difference was not significant between groups B and C, and between groups C and D (P > 0.05). The cells of group A all died at 6 days after culture; at 21 days, the calcium no dule staining was positive by alizarin red in groups B, C and D, and the degree of the staining gradually increased from groups B to D. Conclusion BMSCs conditioned medium can alleviate the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on osteoblasts function.
Objective To investigate the behavior of rat calvarial osteoblasts cultured on chitosan-gelatin/hydroxyapatite (CSGel/HA) composite scaffolds. Methods The rat calvarial osteoblasts (the 3rd passage) were seeded at a density of 1.01×106 cells/ml onto the CS-Gel/HA composite scaffolds having porosity 85.20%, 90.40% and 95.80%. Cell number was counted after cultured for 3 days,1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks. Cell proliferation, bone-like tissue formation, and mineralization were separately detected by HE, von Kossa histological stainingtechniques. Results The CS-Gel/HA composite scaffolds supported the attachmentof seeded rat calvarial osteoblasts. Cells proliferated faster in scaffold withhigher porosity 90.40% and 95.80% than scaffold with lower porosity 85.20%. The osteoblasts/scaffold constructs were feasible for mineral deposition, and bonelike tissue formation in 3 weeks. Conclusion This study suggests the feasibility of using CS-Gel/HA composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Objective To review the research progress of osteoblasts in the hematopoietic microenvironment of bone marrow and regulatory pathways and mechanisms. Methods The advances in the osteoblasts as crucial components for hematopoietic microenvironment in bone marrow, regulation to osteoblasts and hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs), and correlative singal pathways and mechanisms were introduced based on the recent related literature. Results Evidence indicates that osteoblasts are crucial components of the hematopoietic microenvironments in adult bone marrow. The osteoblasts maintainthe quiescence of primitive HSCs by the signaling receptorsligands, secreted cell factors and celladhesion molecules and by regulating other cells in the niche. The quiescent primitive HSCs persist stem cell characteristic which has unlimited selfrenewal and multipotent differentiation potential. Conclusion The further understanding of the relationship between osteoblasts and hematopoietic microenvironment should lead to development of new strategies directed toward clinical therapeutics of HSCs transplantation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influences of lactic acid (LA), the final degradation product of polylactic acid (PLA) on the prol iferation and osteoblastic phenotype of osteoblast-l ike cells so as to provide theoretical basis for bone tissue engineering. MethodsRos17/2.8 osteoblast-l ike cells were harvested and divided into 3 groups. In groups A and B, the cells were cultured with the medium containing 4, 8, 16, 22, and 27 mmol/L L-LA and D, L-LA, respectively. In group C, the cells were cultured with normal medium (pH7.4). The cell prol iferation was determined with MTT method after 1, 3, and 5 days. The relative growth ratio (RGR) was calculated, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated according to national standard of China. In addition, the alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) activity of cells cultured with medium containing 4 mmol/L L-LA (group A), 4 mmol/ L D, L-LA (group B), and normal medium (group C) after 1 and 5 days were detected with ALP kits, and the relative ALP ratio (RAR) was calculated; after 21 days, the calcium nodules were tested with von Kossa staining method, and were quantitatively analyzed. ResultsWhen LA concentration was 4 mmol/L, the mean RGR of both groups A and B were all above 80%, and the cytotoxic grades were grade 0 or 1, which meant non-cytotoxicity. When LA concentration was 8 mmol/L and 16 mmol/ L, groups A and B showed cytotoxicity after 5 days and 3 days, respectively. When LA concentration was above 22 mmol/L, cell prol iferations of groups A and B were inhibited evidently after 1-day culture. At each LA concentration, RGR of group A was significantly higher than that of group B at the same culture time (P<0.05) except those at 4 mmol/L after 1-day and 3-day culture. After 1 day, the RAR of group A was significantly higher than that of group B on 1 day (144.1%±3.2% vs. 115.2%±9.8%, P<0.05) and on 5 days (129.6%±9.8% vs. 78.2%±6.9%, P<0.05). The results of von Kossa staining showed that the black gobbets in group A were obviously more than those of groups B and C. The staining area of group A (91.2%±8.2%) was significantly higher than that of groups B (50.3%±7.9%) and C (54.2%±8.6%) (P<0.05). ConclusionThe concentration and composition of LA have significant effects on the cell proliferation and osteoblastic phenotype of osteoblast-l ike cells.
Objective To investigate the effect of WO-1 on the proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic osteoblasts (HEO) and to provide research methods of bone tissue engineering. Methods HEO were isolated from periosteum and calvaria and then cultrued in vitro. The doseeffect relationship between WO-1 concentration and biological effect of HEO was evaluated by growth curve and 3 H-TdR count. The effect of WO-1 on cell activity and proliferation was investigated by cloning efficiency,cell cycle analysis was determined by flow cytometer and morphological was examined through transmission electron microscope. Moreover, the effect of WO-1 on osteoblastic function was evaluated at protein and mRNA levels by ALP activity, 3 H-proline incorporation, osteocalcin secretion (RIA) and mRNA expression of type I collagen and osteocalcin (RT-PCR). Results The proliferation of HEO was inhibited in high concentration of WO-1,while it was promoted in low concentration of WO-1. The optimal dose was 8 μg/ml, and there was dose-effect relationship in the certain range of WO-1 concentration (0.25 μg/ml to 8 μg/ml). In 8 μg/ml of WO-1, the cloning efficiency and cloning volume of HEO were inereased, population doubling time was decreased.All indexes of ostoblastic function including ALP activity, type I collagen synthesis and osteocalcin secertion were inereased, the more sufficed cell organs were observed under transmission electron microscope than control group(P＜0.05). Conclusion WO-1 can promote the cell activity and proliferation of HEO cultured in vitro inlow concentration, enhance the synthesis of extracellular mamix, such as type Icollagen and osteocalcin, and accelerate the mineralization of osteoid. WO-1 can be used as a stimulant of proliferation and differentiation of HEO in the research of bone tissue engineering, which provide the theoretical basis in clinical application.
Objective To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene transfer on the biological characteristics of osteoblasts. Methods The expression of TGF-β1 in the transfected osteoblasts was detected by in situ hybridization and assay of TGF-β1 activity in the supernatant (minklung epithelium cell growth -inhibition test). The effects of gene transfer andsupernatant of the transfected osteoblasts on the proliferation and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity of osteoblasts were detected by 3 H-TdR and MTT. Results The results of in situ hybridization analysis suggested that the osteoblasts transfected by TGF-β1 gene could express TGF-β1 obviously. The complex medium, which was the mixture of serum-free DMEM and the activated supernatant according to 1∶1, 1∶2, 1∶4, could inhibit growth of Mv-1-Lu evidently and the ratios ofinhibition were 16.3%, 22.7%, 28.2% respectively. TGF-β1 gene transfer hadno effect on the biological characteristics of osteoblasts, but the activated supernatant of transfected osteoblasts stimulated proliferation and inhibited ALPactivity of osteoblasts. Conclusion TGF-β1 gene transfer promotes the expression of TGF-β1 and the biological characteristics of trasfected osteoblasts are stable, which is helpful for gene therapy of bone defects in vivo.