Rabbit bone matrix induces bone formation in the athymic rat

Rabbit and rat bone matrix were implanted in athymic rat muscle, and the bone yield was measured as total calcium content after 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Matrix from both species induced equal amounts of new bone in the athymic rat. In rabbit and normal rat, the xenogenic matrix induced little or no bone formation. Thus, in the case of rabbit and rat, bone induction is species specific due to immunogenic mechanisms. The athymic rat can be used to measure inductive properties of bone matrix from different species.     

Rabbit bone matrix induces bone formation in the athymic rat

Rabbit and rat bone matrix were implanted in athymic rat muscle, and the bone yield was measured as total calcium content after 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Matrix from both species induced equal amounts of new bone in the athymic rat. In rabbit and normal rat, the xenogenic matrix induced little or no bone formation. Thus, in the case of rabbit and rat, bone induction is species specific due to immunogenic mechanisms. The athymic rat can be used to measure inductive properties of bone matrix from different species.     

Removal of tibial marrow induces increased formation of bone and cartilage in rat mandibular condyle

Summary The present paper reports alterations in osteogenesis recorded in mandibular condyles 3–18 days after the removal of marrow tissue from tibial bones. Computerized histomorphometric evaluation of undecalcified condyles revealed a considerable increase in the thickness of condylar cartilage, in particular, the zone of provisional calcification. Measurements of the subcartilaginous trabecular bone suggested an increase in the number of osteoblasts and in their activity. The systemic enhancement of osteogenesis may be initiated by circulating factors released at the affected limb during regeneration of the marrow.     

骨髓间充质干细胞复合骨基质明胶构建组织工程化软骨

目的分离并诱导骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)成软骨分化,与同种异体骨基质明胶(BMG)结合,在体外构建组织工程软骨。方法分离骨髓MSCs,实验组DMEM培养液中加入rhTGF-β1和rhIGF-Ⅰ,对照组未加入诱导因子。比较实验组和对照组细胞的增殖和成软骨分化情况。制备同种异体BM G,扫描电镜观察,与细胞结合在体外构建组织工程软骨,1、2、3和5周取材作胶原染色、蛋白聚糖染色和扫描电镜观察。结果实验组中M SCs集落形成效率(21/106)明显高于对照组(3/106)(u=3.8783,P<0.01);实验组8例中有7例表达Ⅱ型前胶原m RNA,而对照组仅1例表达(χ2=6.250,P<0.05);实验组细胞培养液中的己糖醛酸逐渐升高,第15d已达到初始浓度的1.38倍,而对照组无明显升高(t=3.933,P<0.01)。制备得到的同种异体BMG为三维立体多孔结构,可塑性好并有适宜的机械强度。胶原、蛋白聚糖染色和扫描电镜观察发现,细胞在BM G表面和孔隙内大量增殖,培养后5周在组织工程软骨块的内部即可见软骨陷窝。结论rhTGF-β1和rhIGF-Ⅰ可促进MSCs增殖和成软骨分化,与同种异体BMG结合后可在体外成功构建组织工程软骨。同种异体BM G符合组织工程软骨基质材料的基本要求,有望成为一种理想的用于关节骨软骨缺损修复的软骨组织工程载体材料。     

Effect of heparin on bone formation in cultured fetal rat calvaria

Summary To assess the effects of heparin on bone formation we measured [³H]proline incorporation into collagenase-digestible (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP), [³H]thymidine (TdR) incorporation into DNA, and DNA content in 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria cultured in BGJ medium with bovine serum albumin for 24–96 hours. Heparin at 5–125 μg/ml decreased TdR incorporation by 26–51% at 24 and 96 hours. At 96 hours, heparin 5, 25, and 125 μg/ml decreased [³H]proline incorporation into CDP by 41, 48, and 32%, respectively, with no significant change in NCP. To evaluate the possible role of PGE₂ in these inhibitory responses, media PGE₂ concentration was measured and the effects of heparin on CDP labeling and DNA synthesis were tested in the presence of indomethacin, piroxicam, and flurbiprofen to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production and in the presence of a high concentration (10⁻⁷ M) of exogenous PGE₂. Heparin did not alter PGE₂ production at 24 hours but at 48 hours there was a significant reduction. At 96 hours, indomethacin (10⁻⁶ M) inhibited [³H]proline incorporation into CDP by 38% but had no effect on the labeling of NCP. Heparin had no further significant inhibitory effect in the presence of indomethacin. Piroxicam and flurbiprofen did not alter DNA content and had a smaller inhibitory effect than indomethacin on the labeling of CDP. Moreover, addition of heparin produced a further inhibition of CDP and DNA content and finally, heparin decreased CDP labeling by 71% in the presence of PGE₂. We conclude that heparin has direct inhibitory effects on DNA and collagen synthesis, which could play a role in heparin-induced osteoporosis. The mechanism by which heparin decreases collagen and DNA synthesis appears to be largely unrelated to its effect to decrease PGE₂ production.     

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 is a potent anabolic factor for juvenile bovine cartilage, but not adult cartilage.

Members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) group of the TGF-beta superfamily have been shown to enhance matrix synthesis and maintain cartilage phenotype in long-term culture. These proteins have also been shown to augment cartilage repair in vivo, and may be of potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of damaged articular cartilage. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of BMP-9 on the metabolism of juvenile and adult bovine cartilage in vitro, and to compare the effects to those produced by two previously characterized BMPs: BMP-2 and 13 (CDMP-2). BMP-9 lead to a 7-8-fold stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis at the highest concentration tested, and a 6.4-fold stimulation of collagen synthesis at a concentration of 50 ng/mL in juvenile cartilage. BMP-2 also lead to a 7-8-fold increase in proteoglycan synthesis at the highest concentration tested, and was able to induce collagen synthesis 6.4-fold, but at a concentration of 1000 ng/mL. Proteoglycans isolated from BMP-9 treated cartilage exhibited an increased hydrodynamic size possibly due to increased glycosaminoglycan substitution or decreased C-terminal proteolysis. Consistent with the idea of limited C-terminal proteolysis, BMP-9 treatment lead to a significant reduction in the turnover rate of proteoglycans in juvenile explants. Interestingly, all three BMPs were unable to induce a measurable anabolic response in adult cartilage explants.     

Bone morphogenetic protein induces bone in the squirrel monkey, but bone matrix does not.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) reproducibly induces extraskeletal bone formation in rodents, but its effects in dogs and primates are negative or uncertain. In previous studies on the squirrel monkey, DBM did not induce bone, although the same implants were effective in nude rats. In the present study, the DBM was augmented with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Bone was formed in 10 of 12 monkeys, as verified by histology and calcium content. However, in 4 monkeys, the induced bone mass appeared smaller than the original implant. DBM controls induced microscopic amounts of bone in 2 out of 10 monkeys. In the nude rats, all DBM controls and augmented implants induced bone. The difficulties in achieving bone induction in higher animals may be overcome, at least partially, by using a higher concentration of the inductive protein than is present in DBM.     

Calcitonin (but not calcitonin gene-related peptide) increases mouse bone cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner,and increases mouse bone formation,alone and in combination with fluoride

Summary Previousin vitro studies have shown that salmon calcitonin had direct effects to increase parameters associated with embryonic chicken bone formation and to increase mouse and chicken osteoblast-line cell proliferation. The current studies demonstrate increased cell proliferation (i.e., [³H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA and tetrazolium salt reduction/deposition) in the osteoblastic murine cell line MC-3T3-E1 in response to salmon calcitonin (P<0.005) and to human calcitonin (P<0.005), but not to human calcitonin gene-related peptide. The current studies also show that salmon calcitonin increased several indices of murine bone formation. We found that 72 hours of exposure to salmon calcitonin [at 5 mU/ml—about 0.37 nM; mU/ml = milliunits of calcitonin activity/ml incubation medium (at 4,000 U/mg protein)] increased net⁴⁵Ca deposition (121% of control,P<0.05), net [³H]-proline incorporation 149% of control,P<0.001), and alkaline phosphatase activity (146% of control,P<0.01), in neonatal mouse half-calvaria. The calcitonin-dependent increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was not affected by co-incubation with 1 nM parathyroid hormone. Co-incubation with fluoride (which also increased net [³H]-proline incorporation and alkaline phosphatase activity in neonatal mouse half-calvaria,P<0.05, for each) enhanced the osteogenic response to low-dose calcitonin, (i.e., co-incubation with fluoride shifted the biphasic calcitonin dose-response curve to a range of lower calcitonin concentrations). The calcitonin-fluoride combinations had proportional effects on net [³H]-proline incorporation and alkaline phosphatase in the treated mouse calvaria (r=0.78,P<0.005).     

Platelet-derived growth factor enhances demineralized bone matrix-induced cartilage and bone formation

Summary Subcutaneous implantation of demineralized bone matrix induces the local formation of cartilage and bone. In this study we have investigated the influence of adding various growth factors to the implant. Cartilage formation was monitored by measuring collagen II mRNA levels, and bone formation in the implant was assessed from alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content. Supplements of the platelet-derived growth factor to implants in older rats increased and production of mRNA for collagen II, alkaline phosphatase activity, and the calcium content of the implant, whereas the other growth factors tested were without effect. The data suggest that under some conditions bone induction is submaximal and can be increased by local supplement of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The present observations may have important therapeutic implications in the treatment of nonunions of fractures and impaired bone formation in the aged.     

Absence of mouse pleiotrophin does not affect bone formation in vivo

Pleiotrophin (Ptn) is an extracellular matrix protein that regulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning behavior in vivo. Since the overexpression of Ptn in transgenic mice leads to increased bone formation, we analyzed whether a deficiency in Ptn expression would have a negative effect on bone remodeling. Bones from Ptn-deficient mice and wild-type littermates were analyzed using radiography, μCT imaging and undecalcified histology. Biomechanical stability was determined in a three-point-bending assay. Cellular activities were assessed using dynamic histomorphometry and the determination of urinary collagen degradation products. Skeletons of Ptn-deficient mice have no gross abnormalities, displayed a normal size, and showed no differences in growth plate organization compared to wild-type littermates. There were no obvious differences in bone mass as determined by radiographic and μCT imaging. The absence of a bone remodeling phenotype in Ptn-deficient mice was further confirmed using static histomorphometry and biomechanical testing. Finally, the number, morphology, and function of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes were not altered in Ptn-deficient mice compared to wild-type littermates. The complete skeletal analysis of Ptn-deficient mice presented here demonstrates that the lack of Ptn in mice does not affect bone formation in vivo. Therefore, Ptn does not play a significant role in normal bone physiology.     

Changes in proline synthetic and degradative enzymes during matrix-induced cartilage and bone formation

Summary Proline biosynthetic and degradative enzymes are unevenly distributed in differentiated mammalian tissues. Activities of the synthetic enzymes are relatively high in collagenous tissues, whereas activities of the degradative enzymes are high in noncollagenous tissues. In order to further characterize tissue-specific proline biosynthesis and degradation, we have determined proline enzyme activities during cartilage and bone formation induced by demineralized bone matrix. We can thus follow temporal changes in enzyme activity in a single tissue as different cell types develop. Ornithine aminotransferase and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase have peaks of activity which correlate with maximal type II collagen synthesis by chondrocytes. Both enzymes also are active during bone formation. In contrast, proline oxidase and pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase are present at low levels and do not change as new cell types appear. Arginase activity peaks during the first 3 days and then rapidly decreases by the time cartilage and bone formation begin. These observations further substantiate the importance of proline biosynthesis in collagenous tissues. The close correlation between ornithine aminotransferase activity and type II collagen synthesis suggests that the pathway from ornithine to proline may be especially important during formation of type II collagen.     

The matrix of endochondral bone differs from the matrix of intramembranous bone

Summary Osseous tissue develops via two distinctly different processes: endochondral (EC) ossification and intramembranous (IM) ossification. The present study tests the hypothesis that each type of osseous tissue contains unique inducing factors for the promotion of cartilage and bone development. Previous work suggests that subcutaneous implants of demineralized EC and IM bone matrices both induce endochondral ossification. Thus, it concludes that the bone growth promotion properties of the respective matrices are very similar. As it was unclear to us why EC and IM bone powders should possess identical osteoinductive properties, we attempted to reproduce these results. We implanted EC (femoral) demineralized bone matrix (DBM), IM (frontal) DBM, or a mixture of the two into the ventral thoracic subcutaneous tissue of 12 to 15-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats. Morphological and radiolabeling techniques in this study demonstrated that implants of EC bone matrix induce bone formation via EC ossification in contrast to implants of IM bone matrix which do not induce EC ossification. Our findings suggest that the matrix of EC bone differs qualitatively from the matrix of IM bone due to their respective abilities to induced cartilage and/or bone formation. These observations differ from those previously reported possibly because our IM DBM preparations were not contaminated with tissues of endochondral origin. In current clinical practice, EC DBM allografts are often used to induce new bone formation in defects involving both IM and EC bone. We conclude that there may be clinical settings in which it would be more appropriate to replace bone originally formed via IM ossification with IM DBM rather than EC DBM.     

Structure-activity relationship of retinoids in fetal rat bone cultures

Summary The structure-activity relationship of 29 retinoids was investigated in fetal rat bone organ cultures. Retinoids induced the release of proteoglycan followed by cartilage tissue breakdown. In this study the loss of RNA was used as a parameter for cartilage resorption. During 6 days of incubation RNA decreased up to 80% in presence of active retinoids. Thus the ED₄₀ was determined from dose-response curves of the various retinoids. The new compounds, called arotinoids, which contained the retinoic acid carbon skeleton in a fixed cisoid geometric conformation, were up to 200 times more active than all-trans-β-retinoic acid. The most active compound contained a tetramethylated tetralin ring and a second aromatic ring in the side chain. Several lines of evidence indicated that the carboxylic acid end group was essential for the activity of retinoids in fetal bone cultures. The new, highly active retinoids described here might be an excellent tool to investigate whether the retinoid action is mediated by specific cellular retinoid binding proteins.     

Trabecular bone turnover, bone marrow cell development, and gene expression of bone matrix proteins after low calcium feeding in rats

Low-calcium-fed animals have been accepted as one of the experimental models showing a reduction in bone mass. However, the effects of short-term low-calcium feeding on bone turnover, the development of osteoprogenitor cells, and gene expression of bone matrix proteins have not been reported. In this study, we examined the effect of a low-calcium diet on rat tibia and analyzed the changes in the bone by histomorphometry, bone marrow cell culture, and in situ and Northern hybridization of the bone matrix proteins. Rats were fed either a low-calcium diet (0.05% Ca) or a normal calcium diet (0.5% Ca) using the pair feeding technique. They were killed at day 0, 12 h, and days 1, 2, and 3. In the low-calcium group, the serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was temporarily increased in 12 h after feeding the low-calcium diet. Bone mineral density in the trabecular bone was significantly decreased from 1 day after the low-calcium feeding, but cortical bone did not show any changes during the experimental period. The bone volume per tissue volume in the proximal tibia also decreased from day 1 in the low-calcium group. The number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts on the trabecular bone surface was increased in the low-calcium group compared with the normal-calcium group. An ex vivo study showed that the number of progenitors of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in bone marrow was also increased in the low-calcium group of rats. The localization of type I collagen mRNA was observed in osteoblasts in the low-calcium group. The Northern hybridization study showed that the gene expression of type I collagen, osteopontin, and osteocalcin was increased at day 3 in the low-calcium group. These results indicated that the trabecular bone surface quickly responded to the low-calcium feeding and that bone remodeling activity was activated probably by PTH. The changes in bone marrow cell populations and the gene expression of bone matrix proteins are closely associated with increased bone turnover induced by the low-calcium diet, resulting in rapid bone loss of the trabecular bone.     

Treatment of denervation/disuse osteoporosis in the rat with a capacitively coupled electrical signal: effects on bone formation and bone resorption

Utilizing a sciatic neurectomy model of disuse osteoporosis, the effects on rates of bone formation and bone resorption were examined when a capacitively coupled electrical signal was applied to the denervated tibia in the rat. It was found that a low-voltage, symmetrical sine wave, 60-kHz, capacitively coupled signal had no significant effect on the amount of bone resorption occurring in denervated right tibiae in rats previously labeled with [3H]tetracycline. This was true whether the signal was applied while osteoporosis was developing (prevention of osteoporosis) or after it had been established (treatment of osteoporosis). If a similar capacitively coupled signal was applied to rats in which osteoporosis was well established, and the rats were labeled with [3H]tetracycline daily during a 12-day treatment period, it was found that there was statistically significant enhancement of the amount of new bone formation (increased [3H]tetracycline incorporation) in the tibiae that received the signal as compared with that of the controls. These results indicate that prevention or amelioration of disuse osteoporosis that occurs with a capacitively coupled electrical signal is due not to a change in the rate of bone resorption, but to an increase in the rate of bone formation.     

Influence of irradiation on the osteoinductive potential of demineralized bone matrix

Summary Samples of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) were exposed to graduated doses of radiation (1–15 Megarad) (Mrad) utilizing a linear accelerator and then implanted into the thoracic region of Long-Evans rats. Subcutaneous implantation of DBM into allogenic rats induces endochondral bone. In response to matrix implantation, a cascade of events ensues; mesenchymal cell proliferation on day 3 postimplantation, chondrogenesis on day 7, calcification of the cartilagenous matrix and chondrolysis on day 9, and osteogenesis on day 11 resulting in formation of an ossicle containing active hemopoietic tissue. Bone formation was assessed by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity, the rate of mineralization was determined by measuring⁴⁵Ca incorporation to bone mineral, and⁴⁰Ca content measured the extent of mineralization; acid phosphatase activity was used as a parameter for bone resorption. The dose of radiation (2.5 Mrad) currently used by bone banks for sterilization of bone tissue did not destroy the bone induction properties of DBM. Furthermore, radiation of 3–5 Mrad even enhanced bone induction, insofar as it produced more bone at the same interval of time than was obtained from unirradiated control samples. None of the radiation doses used in these experiments abolished bone induction, although the response induced by matrix irradiated with doses higher than 5 Mrad was delayed.     

Reduction in dynamic indices of cancellous bone formation in rat tail vertebrae after caudal neurectomy

We have previously noted that a relatively large load (150 N) is required to induce a strain on the cortex of rat vertebrae similar to that induced on weight-bearing bones by normal mechanical usage. It seems unlikely that the musculature of the tail normally imposes loads of this magnitude, and this suggests that the quantity of bone in caudal vertebrae is maintained at a higher level than would be expected for the mechanical environment to which it is exposed. This high bone mass could represent a genetically determined minimum, or could be maintained through increased sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. To distinguish between these two possibilities, we denervated the tails of 13-week-old rats by neurectomy at L6, and assessed the response of the caudal vertebrae to mechanical disuse. We found that caudal neurectomy caused a reduction in the cancellous bone formation rate in the eighth caudal vertebrae to 12% of that seen in sham-operated animals. The cancellous bone formation rate in the thoracic vertebrae of neurectomized rats, which are not mechanically disused by caudal neurectomy, was not significantly reduced. This suggests that the cancellous bone formation rate in vertebrae is maintained by substantially less intense mechanical environments than those prevailing in weight-bearing bones, raising the possibility that bones may differ in their sensitivity to mechanical strain.     

谷康泰灵对骨质疏松模型大鼠骨形成和骨吸收功能的影响

目的　观察药物谷康泰灵对骨质疏松 (OP)模型大鼠骨形成和骨吸收功能的影响 ,为其临床治疗骨质疏松提供实验依据。方法　SD大鼠 4 4只 ,随机分为正常组 (13只 )和骨质疏松模型组 (31只 )。以维甲酸 80mg·kg- 1 ·d- 1 灌胃 15d,诱导OP模型。模型复制成功后 ,各组处死 5只 ,正常组 (8只 )继续观察 ,模型组又随机分为无措施对照组 (8只 )、谷康泰灵治疗组 (10只 ,0 0 8mg·kg- 1 ·d- 1 谷康泰灵腹腔注射 )和雌二醇治疗组 (8只 ,每只 0 0 5mg,每周 3次苯甲酸雌二醇腹腔注射 )。治疗期 30d。观察股骨松质骨区成骨细胞及破骨细胞数量和血清中AKP、TRAP活性变化。结果　与正常组相比 ,维甲酸诱导的OP模型大鼠股骨松质骨区成骨细胞功能活跃 ,数量变化不大 ;破骨细胞数量、活跃程度显著增加 ;血清中AKP和TRAP明显增高。谷康泰灵治疗后 ,OP大鼠活跃成骨细胞数量明显增加 ,破骨细胞数量显著减少 ,血清AKP活性明显增高 ,TRAP活性下降。结论　谷康泰灵对OP大鼠骨形成和骨吸收功能有显著影响 ,可刺激成骨细胞的产生增加成骨细胞的活性 ,减少破骨细胞的数量抑制破骨细胞的活性。     

Multigenerational exposure to ethinyl estradiol affects bone geometry, but not bone mineral density in rats

Estrogenic compounds are known to prevent bone loss in ovariectomized adult rats; however, their effects on bone in developing and reproductively-intact rats are less well-understood. In a large multigenerational experiment 0, 2, 10, or 50 ppb ethinyl estradiol (EE) in the diet was fed to intact male and female rats from conception until either weaning, postnatal day 140, or continuously for 2 years. Vertebrae (lumbar and caudal) and femurs were collected from subsets of these animals at necropsy at 48 days, 70 days, 140 days, or 2 years of age and subjected to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning to measure bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area. In addition, the length, cross-sectional area, marrow area, and cortical bone area of the femurs were measured directly in all animals at PND 140 and 2 years. Continuous dietary intake of 50 ppb EE decreased body weight by 8-27%. BMD adjusted for body weight was not affected by EE, with the exception of an increase in the caudal vertebrae in males treated with 50 ppb EE. In female rats, continuous treatment with 50 ppb EE decreased length and cross-sectional area of the femur. The length of the femur was decreased in the first two generations following institution of a phytoestrogen-free diet at the initiation of the study in all animals, including controls, but returned to the original length by the third or fourth generation. The cross-sectional area of the femur also varied by generation. In conclusion, a high dose of EE throughout the lifespan resulted in decreased bone size in females, which could reduce the force required to break the bone. Furthermore, dietary changes may have epigenetic effects which persist for multiple generations.     

Serum markers of bone formation in parenteral nutrition patients

Summary Bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid containing protein (BGP) has been utilized effectively as a serum marker of bone turnover in healthy normals and in individuals with a variety of metabolic bone disorders including postmenopausal osteoporosis and Paget's disease. The utility of this serum marker in other bone disorders, including that associated with the maintenance of patients on long-term parenteral nutrition, still requires definition. Because of our interest in this clinical syndrome and the availability of serum and of bone formation rates (BFR) measured directly from double tetracycline labeling in 11 long-term parenteral nutrition patients, we measured BGP levels in these patients and attempted to correlate this measure with BFR. Serum vitamin D metabolites, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (alk phos) were also measured. Serum BGP was only weakly and not significantly correlated (r=0.24, p=NS) with bone formation rate for the group as a whole. However, in a subgroup of 10 patients without hyperparathyroidism, there was strong and significant correlation (r=0.81,P<0.01) between BGP and BFR. There was also a strong correlation between bone formation rate and serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels (r=0.89,P<0.01, n=11). The mechanism of this association could not be established. A correlation of borderline significance was observed between bone formation rate and serum alk phos (r=0.60,P=0.05, n=11). The current data suggest that additional studies may help to more fully define the utility of serum measurements in quantifying bone dynamics in parenteral nutrition patients, and that measures of vitamin D metabolites, BGP, and alk phos may prove useful.