In vivo leptin expression in cartilage and bone cells of growing rats and adult humans

The present investigation was carried out to analyse, immunohistochemically, in vivo leptin expression in cartilage and bone cells, the latter restricted to the elements of the osteogenic system (stromal cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, bone lining cells). Observations were performed on the first lumbar vertebra, tibia and femur of four rats and on the humerus, femur and acromion of four patients. Histological sections of paraffin-embedded bone samples were immunostained using antibody to leptin. The results showed that, in growing rat bone, leptin is expressed in chondrocytes and stromal cells, but not in osteoblasts; bone lining cells were not found in the microscopic fields examined. In adult human bone, leptin is expressed in chondrocytes, stromal cells and bone lining cells; osteoblasts were not found in the microscopic fields examined. Osteocytes were found to be leptin positive only occasionally and focally in both rat and human bone. The in vivo findings reported show, for the first time, that leptin appears to be expressed only in the cells of the osteogenic lineage (stromal cells, bone lining cells, osteocytes) that, with respect to osteoblasts, are permanent and inactive, i.e. in those cells that according to our terminology constitute the bone basic cellular system (BBCS). Because the BBCS seems to be primarily involved in sensing and integrating mechanical strains and biochemical factors and then in triggering and driving bone formation and/or bone resorption, it appears that leptin seems to be mainly involved in modulating the initial phases of bone modelling and remodelling processes.     

骨髓基质细胞-成骨细胞复合培养体系的建立

背景：在骨修复和重建过程中,成骨细胞和骨髓基质细胞是主要功能细胞,二者存在着密切的功能联系。 目的：通过骨髓基质细胞-成骨细胞共育体系的建立,观察共育体系中两种细胞之间的功能影响及生物学特点。 方法：原代分离人骨髓基质细胞和人成骨细胞,将2种细胞置于Transwell共育环境中共同培养,建立人骨髓基质细胞-成骨细胞共育体系。分别采用MTT、丫啶橙染色、碱性磷酸酶活性检测等方法初步评价共育体系中两种细胞增殖、凋亡及功能改变情况。 结果与结论：在复合培养体系中,骨髓基质细胞-成骨细胞共育体系能够促进成骨细胞的增殖与碱性磷酸酶的活性,同时抑制骨髓基质细胞的凋亡,促进骨髓基质细胞的趋化聚集。结果提示在复合培养体系中, 骨髓基质细胞能够加速成骨细胞的增殖及成骨活性,另外成骨细胞也可减少骨髓基质细胞的凋亡,并加强其成骨性分化的作用。两者之间具有较为紧密的影响和功能联系。     

Bone lining cells and hematopoiesis: an electron microscopic study of canine bone marrow

Hematopoietic bone marrow in the dog is enclosed by a nearly complete and rather complex layer of endosteum, consisting of a diverse group of cells collectively called bone lining cells (BLC). Cell types comprising BLC include osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and other cell types, among which are elongated, flat cells with a spindle-shaped nucleus, and small cytoplasmic vesicles. The composition and thickness of the layer of BLC varies along the perimeter of the marrow. The layer may be simple or stratified. Occasionally a zone of tightly packed regularly arranged collagenous fibers lies between the bone lining cells and bone. Hematopoiesis, particularly neutrophilic, often occurs in the bone marrow next to the BLC. Cytoplasmic processes of BLC occasionally extend into the hematopoietic spaces and stromal cells in the hematopoietic compartment may extend processes to the layer of BLC. Occasionally cells of the BLC are similar in appearance to stromal cells within the marrow. Our observations together with the experimental findings of others (that fibroblastic stromal cells contribute to the hematopoietic inductive microenvironment, that hematopoietic stem cells are concentrated subosteally, that cells responsible for regeneration of the marrow stroma are derived from the endosteal layer, and that high concentrations of hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors are produced there) indicate that the hematopoietic capacities of bone marrow may be regulated by BLC.     

A study of intercellular relationships between trabecular bone and marrow stromal cells in the murine femoral metaphysis

The cellular relationship between the substantia spongiosa of bone (cancellous or trabecular bone) and the haematopoietic bone marrow in the femoral metaphysis of C57BL/6NJCL mice was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Special attention was directed to intercellular junctions between osteocytes, osteoblasts, and bone marrow reticular cells. These were gap junctions and adhesive devices of simple architecture referred to as primitive junctions or zonula adherens-like junctions. Gap junctions were observed between osteocytes (within the trabeculae) and osteoblasts (at the trabecular surface) and between osteoblasts and marrow reticular cells. Gap junctions were also observed between the same cell type within each of these categories. These junctions involved the plasmalemmal membranes of adjacent cell bodies and of processes. Primitive cell junctions had a similar cellular distribution. Quantitative analysis of the cell types covering or positioned around the trabecular bones and of gap junctions between these and other cells was carried out by TEM. It was found that osteoblasts were the most numerous cell type, occupying 31% of the total of each cell type positively identified around the trabeculae (31%), while pre-osteoblasts, (flattened bone marrow reticular cells) took up 26%. These data emphasise the intimate relationship of the various mesenchymal cells based on processes and intercellular junctions, and point to an anatomical and probably functional integration of trabeculae and marrow. The functional significance and putative regulatory activity of this unit are discussed.     

Osteocyte dendrogenesis in static and dynamic bone formation: an ultrastructural study

The present ultrastructural investigation into osteocyte dendrogenesis represents a continuation of a previous study (Ferretti et al., Anat. Embryol., 2002; 206:21-29), in which we pointed out that, during intramembranous ossification, the well-known dynamic bone formation (DBF), performed by migrating osteoblast laminae, is preceded by static bone formation (SBF), in which cords of stationary osteoblasts transform into osteocytes in the same site where they differentiated. The research was carried out on the perichondral center of ossification surrounding the mid shaft level of various long bones of chick embryos and newborn rabbits. Transmission electron microscope observations showed that the formation of osteocyte dendrites is quite different in the two types of osteogenesis, mainly depending on whether or not osteoblast movement occurs. In DBF, osteoblasts transform into small ovoidal/ellipsoidal osteocytes and their dendrites form in an asynchronous and asymmetrical manner in concomitance with, and depending on, the advancing mineralizing surface and the receding osteogenic laminae. In SBF, stationary osteoblasts give rise to big globous osteocytes, located inside confluent lacunae, with short and symmetrical dendrites that can radiate simultaneously all around their cell body because they are completely surrounded by unmineralized matrix. Contacts and gap junctions were observed between all osteocytes (both SBF- and DBF-derived) and between osteocytes and osteoblasts. Finally, a continuous osteocyte network extends throughout the bone, regardless of its static or dynamic origin. This network has the characteristic of a functional syncytium, potentially capable of modulating, by wiring transmission, the cells of the osteogenic lineage covering the bone surfaces.     

Static and dynamic osteogenesis: two different types of bone formation

The onset and development of intramembranous ossification centers in the cranial vault and around the shaft of long bones in five newborn rabbits and six chick embryos were studied by light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two subsequent different types of bone formation were observed. We respectively named them static and dynamic osteogenesis, because the former is characterized by pluristratified cords of unexpectedly stationary osteoblasts, which differentiate at a fairly constant distance (28+/-0.4 microm) from the blood capillaries, and the latter by the well-known typical monostratified laminae of movable osteoblasts. No significant structural and ultrastructural differences were found between stationary and movable osteoblasts, all being polarized secretory cells joined by gap junctions. However, unlike in typical movable osteoblastic laminae, stationary osteoblasts inside the cords are irregularly arranged, variously polarized and transform into osteocytes, clustered within confluent lacunae, in the same place where they differentiate. Static osteogenesis is devoted to the building of the first trabecular bony framework having, with respect to the subsequent bone apposition by typical movable osteoblasts, the same supporting function as calcified trabeculae in endochondral ossification. In conclusion, it appears that while static osteogenesis increases the bone external size, dynamic osteogenesis is mainly involved in bone compaction, i.e., in filling primary haversian spaces with primary osteons.     

血管内皮细胞对骨髓基质细胞促成骨作用的研究

在骨组织工程研究中 ,因营养血管长入材料非常缓慢而影响材料深部的成骨作用一直是困扰科研人员的难题之一。骨髓基质细胞能分泌血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF) ,内皮细胞可以产生骨形态发生蛋白 (BMP) ,因此我们设想将骨髓基质细胞和内皮细胞联合种植在生物材料上构建组织工程化骨 ,则可能在促进成骨的同时 ,又促进局部血管生成 ,满足成骨过程的营养需要。在本实验中我们比较了内皮细胞培养液作用下的骨髓基质细胞、经诱导的骨髓基质细胞和未处理的骨髓基质细胞之间碱性磷酸酶 (AL P)活性和骨钙素 (OCN)分泌量的差别 ,结果表明内皮细胞培养液作用下的骨髓基质细胞和经诱导的骨髓基质细胞之间碱性磷酸酶活性和骨钙素分泌量无统计学差异 ,但均明显高于未处理的骨髓基质细胞 (P<0 .0 1) ,说明内皮细胞培养液中的分泌因子对骨髓基质细胞具有促成骨作用 ,可以达到和成骨诱导液相同的效果。     

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) Production by Cells in the Osteoblast Lineage is Regulated by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Cultures Grown on Calcium Phosphate Substrates

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) used clinically to stimulate bone formation enhance the osteogenic effects of BMP-2 on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) if the MSCs are grown in osteogenic medium and are cultured on calcium phosphate (CaP) surfaces rather than tissue culture polystyrene plastic (TCPS). This study tested if PEMF’s effects on cells in the osteoblast lineage are substrate dependent and if factors produced by osteoblasts that regulate osteoclastic bone resorption, might also be regulated by PEMF. Human MSCs treated with BMP-2 and human osteoblast-like cells (normal human osteoblasts [NHOst cells], MG63 cells, SaOS-2 cells) were cultured on CaP or TCPS and their response to PEMF (4.5 ms bursts of 20 pulses repeating at 15 Hz for 8 h/day) determined as a function of decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANK ligand (RANKL) production, both of which are associated with regulation of osteoclast differentiation. The results showed that when osteoblast-like cells were cultured on CaP, PEMF decreased cell number and increased production of paracrine factors associated with reduced bone resorption like OPG. RANKL was unaffected, indicating that the OPG/RANKL ratio was increased, further supporting a surface-dependent osteogenic effect of PEMF. Moreover, effects of estrogen were surface dependent and enhanced by PEMF, demonstrating that PEMF can modulate osteogenic responses to anabolic regulators of osteoblast function. These effects of PEMF would not be evident in models examining cells in traditional culture on plastic.     

Origin and differentiation of human and murine stroma

Stromal cells generated in long-term cultures appear to follow a vascular smooth muscle differentiation pathway. Such a pathway, comprising several steps hallmarked by the expression of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix markers, is found not only for bone marrow stromal cells, but also for stromal cells generated from the different developmental sites of hematopoiesis (yolk sac, aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, fetal liver, and spleen). Factors responsible for this differentiation pathway and its functional significance are discussed. The mesenchymal founder cell might be, at least for bone marrow, a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), giving rise to stromal cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. A feature that distinguishes the MSC lineage from that of the hematopoietic stem cell lineage is that differentiation pathways are not strictly delineated, since even apparently fully differentiated cells from a given lineage have the potential to convert into another lineage (phenotype "plasticity") and intermediate cell phenotypes are observed. A stochastic Repression/Induction model that would account for this plasticity is proposed.     

Osteogenic potential of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells as an alternative stem cell source

Adult bone marrow contains mesenchymal stem cells (bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; BMSCs) which contribute to the generation of mesenchymal tissue such as bone, cartilage, muscle and adipose. However, using bone marrow as a source of stem cells has the limitation of a low cell number. An alternate source of adult stem cells that could be obtained in large quantities, under local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort would be advantageous. Human adipose tissue obtained by liposuction was processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells or adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs). In this study, we compared the osteogenic differentiation of ATSCs with that of BMSCs. Both cell types were cultured in atelocollagen honeycomb-shaped scaffolds with a membrane seal (ACHMS scaffold) for three-dimensional culturing in a specific osteogenic induction medium. Optimal osteogenic differentiation in both cell types, as determined by alkaline phosphatase cytochemistry, secretion of osteocalcin, mineral (calcium phosphate) deposition and scanning electron microscopy, was obtained with the same three-dimensional culture. Furthermore, osteoblastic lining in vivo was examined using ATSC-seeded or BMSC-seeded scaffolds in nude mice. The present results show that ATSCs have a similar ability to differentiate into osteoblasts to that of BMSCs.     

兔BMSCs体外培养及其向成骨细胞分化的实验研究

目的　探讨培养兔骨髓基质干细胞向成骨细胞的分化,为骨组织工程研究提供种子细胞。方法　取 2月龄新西兰大耳白兔,麻醉后取骨髓,直接进行原代培养,传代后观察其生长特性,绘制生长曲线并加诱导液使其 向成骨细胞方向分化,并分别用钙钴法检测碱性磷酸酶,茜素红染色检测钙结节,免疫组化染色检测Ⅰ型胶原,透 射电镜观察胞质中钙质成分。结果　原代培养中出现大量细胞克隆,传代后细胞呈旋涡状密集生长,加入诱导液 后细胞形态发生改变并向成骨细胞分化,胞质内见有呈黑色的碱性磷酸酶颗粒和Ⅰ型胶原反应产物,并见有多个 细胞形成的钙化结节,电镜下观察到胞质中含有许多基质小泡,几天内成骨细胞数可达1×106/L。结论　培养兔 骨髓基质干可向成骨细胞方向分化,作为骨组织工程的种子细胞。     

Utilization of transgenic models in the evaluation of osteogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cells

Abstract

Previous studies reported that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be induced to differentiate into cells showing a mature osteoblastic phenotype by culturing them under osteo-inductive conditions. It is probable that osteogenic differentiation requires that ESCs undergo differentiation through an intermediary step involving a mesenchymal lineage precursor. Based on our previous studies indicating that adult mesenchymal progenitor cells express α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), we have generated ESCs from transgenic mice in which an αSMA promoter directs the expression of red fluorescent protein (RFP) to mesenchymal progenitor cells. To track the transition of ESC-derived MSCs into mature osteoblasts, we have utilized a bone-specific fragment of rat type I collagen promoter driving green fluorescent protein (Col2.3GFP). Following osteogenic induction in ESCs, we have observed expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and subsequent mineralization as detected by von Kossa staining. After 1 week of osteogenic induction, ESCs begin to express αSMARFP. This expression was localized to the peripheral area encircling a typical ESC colony. Nevertheless, these αSMARFP positive cells did not show activation of the Col2.3GFP promoter, even after 7 weeks of osteogenic differentiation in vitro. In contrast, Col2.3GFP expression was detected in vivo, in mineralized areas following teratoma formation. Our results indicate that detection of ALP activity and mineralization of ESCs cultured under osteogenic conditions is not sufficient to demonstrate osteogenic maturation. Our study indicates the utility of the promoter-visual transgene approach to assess the commitment and differentiation of ESCs into the osteoblast lineage.     

Osteopoiesis: the early development of bone cells

An understanding of the disorders of bone formation clearly requires insights into the complex regulatory events occurring during the evolution of bone precursor cells into osteoblasts. Moreover, a rational approach to therapeutic interventions that might alter the clinical course of bone disorders must take into consideration the exact nature of the developmental control mechanism(s) being affected during the disease process. The process of osteopoiesis involves the proliferation and maturation of primitive precursor cells into functional osteoblasts. The bone cell lineage originates from mesenchymal stem cells that commit to the osteogenic cell lineage becoming osteoprogenitor cells, preosteoblasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. In order to understand how different regulatory signals coordinate bone cell development, it is important to study the responses of bone progenitor cells to different microenviromental signals. This requires that lineage markers be identified for the various populations of bone cells and their precursors, that cell separation techniques be established so that cells of the osteogenic lineage can be purified at different stages of differentiation, and that these isolated cells are studied under serum-free, chemically defined conditions. This review focuses on the current understanding of bone progenitor cell development, examining the various types of precursor cells, their responses to cytokines and other extracellular influences, and recent observations on the biochemical and molecular control of lineage-specific gene expression. Although the emphasis is on human cells, the importance of work using rodent cells goes without saying, and is addressed where relevant.     

柚皮甙诱导兔骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨特征

背景：骨碎补能在促进骨生长且取得了良好的临床疗效,其主要成分柚皮甙能否诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨方向分化？ 目的：用柚皮甙诱导兔骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨方向分化。并观察柚皮甙诱导兔骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨方向分化的能力。 方法：用贴壁筛选法对兔骨髓间充质干细胞进行分离培养。对生长良好的第3代骨髓间充质干细胞分别用50 μg/L的柚皮甙和经典成骨诱导剂向成骨方向进行诱导,分别进行成骨鉴定。 结果与结论：经典成骨诱导液、柚皮甙诱导液都能使骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨方向分化,基质分泌增多,形成钙结节。用酶联免疫检测仪检测柚皮甙诱导组和经典成骨诱导组细胞吸光度值未见明显的差异。同时检测柚皮甙诱导液和L-DMEN细胞培养液的吸光度值发现两者差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。证实柚皮甙可成功诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨方向分化,无明显毒性作用。     

Engineering of large osteogenic grafts with rapid engraftment capacity using mesenchymal and endothelial progenitors from human adipose tissue

We investigated whether the maintenance in culture of endothelial and mesenchymal progenitors from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of human adipose tissue supports the formation of vascular structures in vitro and thereby improves the efficiency and uniformity of bone tissue formation in vivo within critically sized scaffolds. Freshly-isolated human SVF cells were seeded and cultured into hydroxyapatite scaffolds (1 cm-diameter, 1 cm-thickness) using a perfusion-based bioreactor system, which resulted in maintenance of CD34(+)/CD31(+) endothelial lineage cells. Monolayer-expanded isogenic adipose stromal cells (ASC) and age-matched bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC), both lacking vasculogenic cells, were used as controls. After 5 days in vitro, SVF-derived endothelial and mesenchymal progenitors formed capillary networks, which anastomosed with the host vasculature already 1 week after ectopic nude rat implantation. As compared to BMSC and ASC, SVF-derived cells promoted faster tissue ingrowth, more abundant and uniform bone tissue formation, with ossicles reaching a 3.5 mm depth from the scaffold periphery after 8 weeks. Our findings demonstrate that maintenance of endothelial/mesenchymal SVF cell fractions is crucial to generate osteogenic constructs with enhanced engraftment capacity. The single, easily accessible cell source and streamlined, bioreactor-based process makes the approach attractive towards manufacturing of clinically relevant sized bone substitute grafts.     

A New Approach to Evaluation of Osteogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

We developed a new approach to evaluation of the intensity of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal stem cells based on measurement of optical density of mesenchymal stromal cell cultures in a concentration range 625–10,000 cells per well after their culturing in osteogenic induction medium and staining of calcium deposits by the method of von Kossa. The proposed method allows comparative semiquantitative evaluation of osteogenic properties of mesenchymal stem cells depending on tissue sources (bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta), in vitro cell density, number of passages, duration of culturing, and concentration of serum growth factors in the microenvironment. The developed approach makes it possible to compare functional activity of mesenchymal stromal cells in various pathologies. The proposed method can be used in traumatology and orthopedics for improving the efficiency of transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells for stimulation of reparative osteogenesis. Translated from Kletochnye Tehnologii v Biologii i Medicine, No. 4, pp. 219–225, November, 2008     

In vitro osteogenesis assays: influence of the primary cell source on alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization

In trabecular bone fracture repair in vivo, osteogenesis occurs through endochondral ossification under hypoxic conditions, or through woven bone deposition in the vicinity of blood vessels. In vitro osteogenesis assays are routinely used to test osteoblastic responses to drugs, hormones, and biomaterials for bone and cartilage repair applications. These cell culture models recapitulate events that occur in woven bone synthesis, and are carried out using primary osteoblasts, osteoblast precursors such as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs), or various osteoblast cell lines. With time in culture, cell differentiation is typically assessed by examining levels of alkaline phosphatase activity (an early osteoblast marker) and by evaluating the assembly of a collagen (type I)-containing fibrillar extracellular matrix that mineralizes. In this review, we have made a comparative analysis of published osteogenic assays using calvarial cells, calvaria-derived cell lines, and bone marrow stromal cells. In all of these cell types, alkaline phosphatase activity shows similar progression over time using a variety of osteogenic and mineralizing media conditions; however, levels of alkaline phosphatase activity are not proportional to observed mineralization levels.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导非贴壁骨髓基质细胞向成骨细胞分化

目的：探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)对非贴壁骨髓前体细胞(NASP)的增殖分化作用。方法：分离骨髓前体细胞体外培养，用碱性磷酸酶化学染色及图象分析测定细胞克隆数；采用免疫组化(ABC法)进行骨钙素及碱性磷酸酶(ALP)测定，研究bFGF对NASP的促增殖作用。结果：bFGF能促进NASP细胞增殖，诱导NASP细胞产生碱性磷酸酶及骨钙素。结论：bFGF主要作用于非贴壁生长的基质前体细胞，bFGF能增加骨的数量，促进骨样组织形成。     

Ultrastructural study of osteosarcomas

The ultrastructural examination of four osteosarcomas (osteogenic, undifferentiated, and pleomorphic) is described. There are three types of tumor cells. Most of the cells are held in contact by desmosome-like tight junctions; they are atypical osteoblasts with cytoplasmic processes, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria carrying calcific inclusions, lipid droplets surrounded by glycogen, and intracellular fine filamentous fibers. Other cells exhibiting varying degrees of osteoblastic maturity are also seen with multilobed nuclei, a clear cytoplasm, and straight bordered membranes. The last type is chondroid with abundant deposits of glycogen, lipid droplets, and undilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. The matrix is composed of fibrils without periodicity, scattered and deteriorated collagen fibers, and focal calcium deposits of hydroxyapatite crystals as in embryonal bone, dentine, or callus bone.