Mature Osteoblasts (mature + osteoblast)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


First-line treatment with bortezomib rapidly stimulates both osteoblast activity and bone matrix deposition in patients with multiple myeloma, and stimulates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Thomas Lund
Abstract Objectives:, The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of bortezomib on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, as well as on bone matrix deposition for the first time in bisphosphonate-naïve, previously untreated patients with myeloma. Methods:, Twenty newly diagnosed patients received four cycles of bortezomib treatment, initially as monotherapy and then combined with a glucocorticoid from cycle two to four. Bone remodeling markers were monitored closely during treatment. Furthermore, the effects of bortezomib and a glucocorticoid on immature and mature osteoblasts were also studied in vitro. Results:, Treatment with bortezomib caused a significant increase in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and pro-collagen type I N-terminal propeptide, a novel bone formation marker. The addition of a glucocorticoid resulted in a transient decrease in collagen deposition. In vitro bortezomib induced osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Differentiation but not proliferation was inhibited by glucocorticoid treatment. Conclusions:, Bortezomib used as first-line treatment significantly increased collagen deposition in patients with multiple myeloma and osteolytic lesions, but the addition of a glucocorticoid to the treatment transiently inhibited the positive effect of bortezomib, suggesting that bortezomib may result in better healing of osteolytic lesions when used without glucocorticoids in patients that have obtained remission with a previous therapy. The potential bone-healing properties of single-agent bortezomib are currently being explored in a clinical study in patients who have undergone high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. [source]


Osteoconductive and Osteoinductive Properties of Zeolite MFI Coatings on Titanium Alloys

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 24 2009
Rajwant S. Bedi
Abstract The use of zeolite MFI-coated titanium alloy for bone cell growth and new bone formation in vitro is investigated. The corrosion-resistant MFI coating is shown to be osteoconductive and to promote proliferation of human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs) as compared to bare titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V. The zeolite crystal microstructure appears to facilitate osteoblast adhesion and induces osteointegration, as evaluated with microscopy. In addition, the zeolite promotes the differentiation of hFOBs into mature osteoblasts, as well as the production of a mineralized matrix at earlier times in culture compared to Ti6Al4V, indicating higher osteoinductive properties of the MFI coating than titanium alone. A significant increase in the expression of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) gene is measured in hFOBs cultured on zeolite coatings compared to bare Ti6Al4V. This is the first report on highly corrosion-resistant zeolite MFI coatings on Ti6A14V alloys with the potential to be used as a material of improved osteointegration appropriate for bone tissue regeneration. [source]


Inhibition of Lamin A/C Attenuates Osteoblast Differentiation and Enhances RANKL-Dependent Osteoclastogenesis,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009
Martina Rauner
Abstract Age-related osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, poor bone quality, and impaired osteoblastogenesis. Recently, the Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a disease of accelerated aging and premature osteoporosis, has been linked to mutations in the gene encoding for the nuclear lamina protein lamin A/C. Here, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of lamin A/C in osteoblastic lineage cells impairs osteoblastogenesis and accelerates osteoclastogenesis. Lamin A/C was knocked-down with small interfering (si)RNA molecules in human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) differentiating toward osteoblasts. Lamin A/C knockdown led to an inhibition of osteoblast proliferation by 26% and impaired osteoblast differentiation by 48% based on the formation of mineralized matrix. In mature osteoblasts, expression levels of runx2 and osteocalcin mRNA were decreased by lamin A/C knockdown by 44% and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, protein analysis showed that osteoblasts with diminished levels of lamin A/C also secreted less osteocalcin and expressed a lower alkaline phosphatase activity (,50%). Lamin A/C inhibition increased RANKL mRNA and protein levels, whereas osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression was decreased, resulting in an increased RANKL/OPG ratio and an enhanced ability to support osteoclastogenesis, as reflected by a 34% increase of TRACP+ multinucleated cells. Our data indicate that lamin A/C is essential for proper osteoblastogenesis. Moreover, lack of lamin A/C favors an osteoclastogenic milieu and contributes to enhanced osteoclastogenesis. [source]


Connexin 43 Is Required for the Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Bisphosphonates on Osteocytes and Osteoblasts In Vivo,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 11 2008
Lilian I Plotkin
Abstract Connexin (Cx)43 is required for inhibition of osteocyte and osteoblast apoptosis by bisphosphonates in vitro. Herein, we evaluated its requirement for the in vivo actions of bisphosphonates using mice in which Cx43 was deleted specifically from osteocytes and osteoblasts (Cx43,Ob,Ot/, mice). Effective removal of Cx43 was confirmed by the presence of the deleted form of the gene and by reduced mRNA and protein expression in osteoblastic cells and bones obtained from Cx43,Ob,Ot/, mice. The amino-bisphosphonate alendronate (2.3 ,mol/kg/d) was injected daily into 5-mo-old female mice (n = 6,11) for 31 days, starting 3 days before implantation of pellets releasing the glucocorticoid prednisolone (2.1 mg/kg/d). Cx43,Ob,Ot/, mice and their littermates (Cx43fl/,, Cx43,Ob,Ot/+, and Cx43fl/+) gained bone with similar kinetics and exhibited identical bone mass from 2 to 4.5 mo of age, indicating that Cx43 deletion from osteocytes and mature osteoblasts does not impair bone acquisition. In addition, prednisolone induced a similar increase in osteocyte and osteoblast apoptosis in Cx43,Ob,Ot/, or in control Cx43fl/, littermates. However, whereas alendronate prevented prednisolone-induced apoptosis in control Cx43fl/, mice, it was ineffective in Cx43,Ob,Ot/, mice. In contrast, alendronate inhibited glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in both type of animals, suggesting that inhibition of resorption is the predominant effect of alendronate against the early phase of glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. Taken together with earlier in vitro evidence, these findings show that Cx43 is required for the anti-apoptotic effect of bisphosphonates on osteocytes and osteoblasts. [source]


Environmental Toxicants May Modulate Osteoblast Differentiation by a Mechanism Involving the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor,,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2007
Elizabeth P Ryan
Abstract The AHR mediates many of the toxicological effects of aromatic hydrocarbons. We show that AHR expression in osteoblasts parallels the induction of early bone-specific genes involved in maturation. The AHR may not only mediate the effects of toxicants, but with an as yet unidentified ligand, be involved in the differentiation pathways of osteoblasts. Introduction: Metabolic bone diseases arise as a result of an imbalance in bone cell activities. Recent evidence suggests that environmental toxicants may be contributing factors altering these activities. One candidate molecule implicated in mediating the toxic effects of exogenous compounds is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Materials and Methods: Osteoblasts isolated from neonatal rat calvaria were analyzed for AHR expression by quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, AHR activation was evaluated by electromobility gel shift assay and fluorescence microscopy. Results: Our findings showed AHR expression in mature osteoblasts in vivo. The pattern of AHR expression peaks after alkaline phosphatase and before induction of osteocalcin. We first show that AHR functions as a transactivating receptor in osteoblasts, as evidenced by its ligand-dependent migration to the nucleus and its association with known dioxin response elements. AHR activation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo -p -dioxin (TCDD) mediated the induction of cytochrome p450 1A1 and cycloxygenase-2 protein levels. This effect could be inhibited by the potent AHR antagonist, 3,4 methoxynitroflavone. Furthermore, lead treatment of osteoblasts upregulates the expression of AHR mRNA and protein levels, supporting a novel mechanism whereby lead in the skeleton may increase the sensitivity of bone cells to toxicant exposure. Conclusions: These data imply that the AHR mediates the effects of aromatic toxicants on bone and that AHR expression is regulated during osteoblast differentiation. [source]


IGF-I Receptor Is Required for the Anabolic Actions of Parathyroid Hormone on Bone,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2007
Yongmei Wang
Abstract We showed that the IGF-IR,null mutation in mature osteoblasts leads to less bone and decreased periosteal bone formation and impaired the stimulatory effects of PTH on osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Introduction: This study was carried out to examine the role of IGF-I signaling in mediating the actions of PTH on bone. Materials and Methods: Three-month-old mice with an osteoblast-specific IGF-I receptor null mutation (IGF-IR OBKO) and their normal littermates were treated with vehicle or PTH (80 ,g/kg body weight/d for 2 wk). Structural measurements of the proximal and midshaft of the tibia were made by ,CT. Trabecular and cortical bone formation was measured by bone histomorphometry. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were obtained to assess the effects of PTH on osteoprogenitor number and differentiation. Results: The fat-free weight of bone normalized to body weight (FFW/BW), bone volume (BV/TV), and cortical thickness (C.Th) in both proximal tibia and shaft were all less in the IGF-IR OBKO mice compared with controls. PTH decreased FFW/BW of the proximal tibia more substantially in controls than in IGF-IR OBKO mice. The increase in C.Th after PTH in the proximal tibia was comparable in both control and IGF-IR OBKO mice. Although trabecular and periosteal bone formation was markedly lower in the IGF-IR OBKO mice than in the control mice, endosteal bone formation was comparable in control and IGF-IR OBKO mice. PTH stimulated endosteal bone formation only in the control animals. Compared with BMSCs from control mice, BMSCs from IGF-IR OBKO mice showed equal alkaline phosphatase (ALP)+ colonies on day 14, but fewer mineralized nodules on day 28. Administration of PTH increased the number of ALP+ colonies and mineralized nodules on days 14 and 28 in BMSCs from control mice, but not in BMSCs from IGF-IR OBKO mice. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the IGF-IR null mutation in mature osteoblasts leads to less bone and decreased bone formation, in part because of the requirement for the IGF-IR in mature osteoblasts to enable PTH to stimulate osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. [source]


Osteoblast Deletion of Exon 3 of the Androgen Receptor Gene Results in Trabecular Bone Loss in Adult Male Mice,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2007
Amanda J Notini
Abstract The mechanism of androgen action on bone was studied in male mice with the AR deleted in mature osteoblasts. These mice had decreased trabecular bone volume associated with a decrease in trabecular number, suggesting that androgens may act directly on osteoblasts to maintain trabecular bone. Introduction: Androgens modulate bone cell activity and are important for the maintenance of bone mass. However, the mechanisms by which they exert these actions on bone remain poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of androgens acting through the classical androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways (i.e., DNA-binding dependent pathways) in osteoblasts using male mice in which exon 3 of the AR gene was deleted specifically in mature osteoblasts. Materials and Methods: Mice with a floxed exon 3 of the AR gene were bred with Col 2.3-cre transgenic mice, in which Cre recombinase is expressed in mineralizing osteoblasts. The skeletal phenotype of mutant mice was assessed by histomorphometry and quantitative ,CT at 6, 12, and 32 weeks of age (n = 8 per group). Wildtype, hemizygous exon 3 floxed and hemizygous Col 2.3-cre male littermates were used as controls. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's posthoc test. Results: ,CT analysis of the fifth lumbar vertebral body showed that these mice had reduced trabecular bone volume (p < 0.05) at 32 weeks of age compared with controls. This was associated with a decrease in trabecular number (p < 0.01) at 12 and 32 weeks of age, suggesting increased bone resorption. These effects were accompanied by a reduction in connectivity density (p < 0.01) and an increase in trabecular separation (p < 0.01). A similar pattern of trabecular bone loss was observed in the distal femoral metaphysis at 32 weeks of age. Conclusions: These findings show that inactivation of the DNA binding,dependent functions of the AR, specifically in mature osteoblasts in male mice, results in increased bone resorption and decreased structural integrity of the bone, leading to a reduction in trabecular bone volume at 32 weeks of age. These data provide evidence of a role for androgens in the maintenance of trabecular bone volume directly through DNA binding,dependent actions of the AR in mature osteoblasts. [source]


Regulation of Human Skeletal Stem Cells Differentiation by Dlk1/Pref-1

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2004
Basem M Abdallah
Abstract Dlk-1/Pref-1 was identified as a novel regulator of human skeletal stem cell differentiation. Dlk1/Pref-1 is expressed in bone and cultured osteoblasts, and its constitutive overexpression led to inhibition of osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation of human marrow stromal cells. Introduction: Molecular control of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes is not known. In this study, we examined the role of delta-like 1/preadipocyte factor-1 (Dlk1/Pref-1) in regulating the differentiation of hMSCs. Materials and Methods: As a model for hMSCs, we have stably transduced telomerase-immortalized hMSC (hMSC-TERT) with the full length of human Dlk1/Pref-1 cDNA and tested its effect on hMSC growth and differentiation into osteoblasts or adipocytes as assessed by cytochemical staining, FACS analysis, and real time PCR. Ex vivo calvaria organ cultures assay was used to confirm the in vitro effect of Dlk/Pref-1 on bone formation. Results: Dlk1/Pref-1 was found to be expressed in fetal and adult bone, hMSCs, and some osteoblastic cell lines. A retroviral vector containing the human Dlk1/Pref-1 cDNA was used to create a cell line (hMSC-dlk1) expressing high levels of Dlk1/Pref-1 protein. Overexpression of Dlk1/Pref-1 did not affect the proliferation rate of hMSC, but the ability to form mature adipocytes, mineralized matrix in vitro, and new bone formation in neonatal murine calvariae organ cultures was reduced. These effects were associated with inhibition of gene expression markers of late stages of adipocyte (adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein [aP2], peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 [PPAR,2], and adiponectin [APM1]) and osteoblast differentiation (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], collagen type I [Col1], and osteocalcin [OC]). Lineage commitment markers for adipocytes (adipocyte determination and differentiation factor ,1 [ADD1]) and osteoblasts (core binding factor/runt-related binding factor 2 [Cbfa1/Runx2]) were not affected. Conclusion: During hMSC differentiation, Dlk1/Pref-1 maintains the size of the bipotential progenitor cell pool by inhibiting the formation of mature osteoblasts and adipocytes. [source]


The Wnt antagonist secreted frizzled-related protein-1 controls osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2005
Peter V.N. Bodine
Abstract Mechanisms controlling human bone formation remain to be fully elucidated. We have used differential display-polymerase chain reaction analysis to characterize osteogenic pathways in conditionally immortalized human osteoblasts (HOBs) representing distinct stages of differentiation. We identified 82 differentially expressed messages and found that the Wnt antagonist secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP)-1 was the most highly regulated of these. Transient transfection of HOBs with sFRP-1 suppressed canonical Wnt signaling by 70% confirming its antagonistic function in these cells. Basal sFRP-1 mRNA levels increased 24-fold during HOB differentiation from pre-osteoblasts to pre-osteocytes, and then declined in mature osteocytes. This expression pattern correlated with levels of cellular viability such that the pre-osteocytes, which had the highest levels of sFRP-1 mRNA, also had the highest rate of cell death. Basal sFRP-1 mRNA levels also increased 29-fold when primary human mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated to osteoblasts supporting the developmental regulation of the gene. Expression of sFRP-1 mRNA was induced 38-fold following prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) treatment of pre-osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts that had low basal message levels. In contrast, sFRP-1 expression was down-regulated by as much as 80% following transforming growth factor (TGF)-,1 treatment of pre-osteocytes that had high basal mRNA levels. Consistent with this, treatment of pre-osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts with PGE2 increased apoptosis threefold, while treatment of pre-osteocytes with TGF-,1 decreased cell death by 50%. Likewise, over-expression of sFRP-1 in HOBs accelerated the rate of cell death threefold. These results establish sFRP-1 as an important negative regulator of human osteoblast and osteocyte survival. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Transgenic disruption of glucocorticoid signaling in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes attenuates K/BxN mouse serum,induced arthritis in vivo

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2009
Frank Buttgereit
Objective Endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) modulate numerous biologic systems involved in the initiation and maintenance of arthritis. Bone cells play a critical role in the progression of arthritis, and some of the effects of GCs on inflammation may be mediated via these cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of osteoblast-targeted disruption of GC signaling on joint inflammation, cartilage damage, and bone metabolism in the K/BxN mouse serum transfer model of autoimmune arthritis. Methods Intracellular GC signaling was disrupted in osteoblasts through transgenic overexpression of 11,-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 under the control of a type I collagen promoter. Arthritis was induced in 5-week-old male transgenic mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates, and paw swelling was assessed daily until the mice were killed. The mice were examined by histology, histomorphometry, and microfocal computed tomography, and serum was analyzed for cytokines, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and corticosterone. Results Acute arthritis developed in both transgenic and WT mice treated with K/BxN mouse serum. However, the arthritis and local inflammatory activity were significantly attenuated in transgenic mice, as judged by clinical and histologic indices of inflammation and cartilage damage. Bone turnover and bone volume remained unchanged in arthritic transgenic mice, while WT mice exhibited stimulated bone resorption, suppressed osteoblast activity, and significantly reduced bone volume, compatible with the known effects of active inflammation on bone. Circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines tended to be lower in arthritic transgenic mice than in control transgenic mice. Conclusion Disruption of GC signaling in osteoblasts significantly attenuates K/BxN mouse serum,induced autoimmune arthritis in mice. These data suggest that osteoblasts modulate the immune-mediated inflammatory response via a GC-dependent pathway. [source]