金属离子Cu2+、Fe3+对水凝胶RADA16-NBD培养条件下成骨细胞生长与分化的影响

BACKGROUND: It is a mature technology to culture MC3T3-E1 cells in the self-assembling peptide hydrogel, RADA16-NBD. Moreover, it is confirmed that a variety of metal ions, such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, are involved in normal bone metabolism.     

新型纳米材料及与前成骨细胞联合培养的实验研究

自组装的纳米纤维肽作为一种新型材料,被广泛应用于细胞的三维培养以及组织缺损的修复。本研究在传统自组装多肽RADA16—1（RAD16）的基础上,为成骨细胞体外培养构建了一种支架材料,即把细胞黏附基序arginine—glycine—aspartic（RGD）连接到RAD16上,再与纯RAD16按比例混合,构成本实验的研究材料Hybrid。用原子力显微镜（atomic force microscope,AFM）观察材料的微观结构。通过相差显微镜、MTT、组织化学染色等工具或方法观察成骨细胞（MC3T3-E1）在材料中的生长、增殖和分化情况。结果显示,Hybrid可以形成良好的纳米纤维结构。与RAD16相比,这种改进的纳米材料可以促进细胞的增殖,且碱性磷酸酶（alkaline phosphatase,ALP）的表达呈强阳性,有明显的钙结节形成。实验表明该材料在骨组织工程方面有潜在的应用价值。     

自组装多肽纳米纤维水凝胶在细胞三维培养中的应用及特征

背景：自组装多肽类材料因其独特的设计及良好的生物相容性和可降解性在众多三维支架材料中脱颖而出。 目的：综述RADA类离子互补型自组装多肽支架材料的结构和功能化设计,从细胞三维培养方面探讨多肽类材料作为细胞载体材料在细胞治疗中的应用前景。 方法：由作者通过PubMed、Web of science数据库及CNKI数据库检索有关自组装多肽水凝胶的相关文献,检索词为“self-assembly peptide, tissue engineering;自组装多肽,组织工程”,检索文献量总计224篇,纳入包含多肽材料设计、功能化多肽材料、多肽材料用于细胞三维培养方面的研究,最终纳入48篇。 结果与结论：从物理结构角度讲,多肽材料可以在生理环境中自组装成具有纳米级纤维和较高孔隙率的水凝胶,最大程度上模拟细胞外基质的结构,保障细胞生存在一个真正的三维环境中。从生物功能角度讲,多肽材料可以根据不同需求复合特异性的生物活性短肽片断,赋予材料一定的细胞特异性,可以促进细胞的黏附、增殖或分化。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

降钙素基因相关肽诱导藻酸钙凝胶复合脂肪干细胞的成骨细胞分化

背景：降钙素基因相关肽已被证实具有诱导成骨细胞分化作用,但其是否可使三维培养下的脂肪干细胞向成骨细胞分化构建组织工程骨的相关报道少见。 目的：探讨外源性降钙素基因相关肽诱导兔脂肪干细胞复合藻酸钙凝胶三维培养成骨分化的可行性。 方法：取新西兰兔双侧腹股沟区皮下脂肪垫,Ⅰ型胶原酶消化离心贴壁法分离培养脂肪干细胞,取第3代与海藻酸钠混合制备凝胶,于24孔板分组培养：对照组加入含10^-2 mol/L β-甘油磷酸钠、10^-7 mol/L地塞米松、50 mg/L抗坏血酸、体积分数10%胎牛血清的DMEM/F-12骨诱导培养基,实验组在此基础上再加入1.5 µg/L降钙素基因相关肽进行诱导培养。于诱导不同时间点MTT法检测细胞增殖,RT-PCR法检测诱导细胞Ⅰ型胶原和骨钙素mRNA的表达,并检测碱性磷酸酶及钙离子浓度。 结果与结论：兔脂肪干细胞的增殖曲线呈“S”型,实验组诱导1,3,5,7,14,21 d的A值高于对照组(P < 0.05);诱导2周后两组细胞碱性磷酸酶、茜素红染色均阳性,但实验组钙结节较对照组明显增多。实验组诱导7,14 d的Ⅰ型胶原和骨钙素mRNA表达均强于对照组。实验组诱导1,2,3,4周的碱性磷酸酶活性及钙离子浓度均高于对照组(P< 0.05)。结果表明降钙素基因相关肽能诱导复合藻酸钙凝胶的脂肪干细胞向成骨细胞分化。     

mTORC1 信号促进前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1 的分化成熟

目的:研究mTORC1 信号对前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1 向成骨细胞分化成熟的调控作用。方法:通过向MC3T3-E1 转染pcDNA3.1-Raptor,对mTORC1 信号相关蛋白Raptor 进行过表达。向MC3T3-E1 转染Raptor siRNA,对mTORC1 信号蛋白Raptor 进行基因沉默。通过Real-time PCR 方法测定Raptor 的基因表达,通过蛋白免疫印迹法测定Raptor 蛋白水平,并通过茜素红染色检测成骨矿化情况,以测定成骨分化程度。通过Real-time PCR 检测成骨分化指标的基因表达。结果:与对照组相比,Raptor 过表达组的Raptor mRNA 和蛋白水平明显增加;茜素红染色结果显示Raptor 过表达组染色更深,说明成骨矿化程度更高;荧光定量PCR 结果显示,Raptor 过表达组的成骨分化标记基因以及成骨转录因子的表达量均高于对照组。与对照组相比,Raptor siRNA 组的Raptor mRNA 和蛋白水平明显降低;茜素红染色结果显示Raptor siRNA 组染色更浅,说明成骨矿化程度更低;荧光定量PCR 结果显示,Raptor siRNA 组的成骨分化标记基因以及成骨转录因子的表达量均低于对照组。结论:mTORC1 信号促进前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1 向成骨细胞分化成熟。     

葛根素通过下调miR-23a促进小鼠前成骨细胞增殖和分化的研究

目的 探讨葛根素是否通过下调miR-23a促进小鼠前成骨细胞增殖和分化。方法 将小鼠前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1分为对照组、葛根素组、葛根素+miR-NC组和葛根素+miR-23a过表达组,RT-qPCR检测细胞中miR-23a的表达,CCK-8法检测细胞增殖活性,碱性磷酸酶活性检测葛根素对细胞活力的影响,Western blot检测细胞中Runx2蛋白的表达。应用生物信息学和双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-23a和Runx2的靶向调控关系。结果 与对照组相比,葛根素组MC3T3-E1细胞增殖活性增强,细胞中miR-23a表达降低,Runx2蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05);与葛根素+miR-NC组相比,葛根素+miR-23a过表达组MC3T3-E1细胞增殖活性降低,细胞中Runx2蛋白表达降低(P<0.05);双荧光素酶报告基因实验证实miR-23a靶向负调控Runx2的表达。结论 葛根素促进小鼠前成骨细胞增殖和分化,机制可能与下调miR-23a进一步调控Runx2表达有关。     

可注射温敏淫羊藿苷壳聚糖水凝胶促进家兔桡骨骨折的愈合

背景：淫羊藿可显著促进体外培养成骨细胞的增殖、分化和成熟,刺激骨形成。 目的：观察可注射温敏淫羊藿苷壳聚糖水凝胶修复家兔桡骨骨折愈合的效果。 方法：麻醉下将36只兔左右桡骨截断,随机分为实验组、对照组和空白组,前两组分别在骨折端周围注入可注射温敏携淫羊藿苷壳聚糖水凝胶、壳聚糖水凝胶,空白组骨折区未注入任何材料。 结果与结论：3组骨折均于术后6周时愈合。X射线片显示,术后2,4, 6周,实验组骨折修复区单位面积平均灰度值及成骨细胞计数均明显高于对照组、空白组(P < 0.05),且实验组成骨细胞增生活跃。说明可注射温敏携淫羊藿苷壳聚糖水凝胶具有促成骨活性,可促进骨折愈合。     

纤维蛋白凝胶促进大鼠间充质干细胞的成骨分化

背景：纤维蛋白是一种天然的可生物降解、组织相容性好的高分子材料,是一种能促进细胞和外源性生长因子释放的载体,其中血纤维蛋白稳定因子ⅩⅢ已证明有利于未分化的间充质干细胞在高度交联的凝胶支架内迁移,并且促进这些细胞的增殖与分化能力。 目的：观察大鼠间充质干细胞在纤维蛋白凝胶内的行为。 方法：无菌条件下分离大鼠胎肢细胞获得间充质干细胞,取第3代细胞分别接种于0,5,10,20 g/L纤维蛋白凝胶内,用倒置相差显微镜和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜分析细胞在凝胶内的形态学变化; 酶标仪和Von Kossa染色分析碱性磷酸酶活性和钙盐沉积。 结果与结论：5 g/L低浓度纤维蛋白凝胶有利于细胞形态的发生,20 g/L高浓度凝胶有利于细胞的成骨分化。20 g/L纤维蛋白凝胶碱性磷酸酶活性高于对照组,10和20 g/L浓度纤维蛋白凝胶矿化结节出现在21至28 d,而对照组无矿化结节出现。提示大鼠间充质干细胞的形态与成骨分化依赖于纤维蛋白凝胶浓度,提示纤维蛋白凝胶有助于间充质干细胞的成骨分化。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

盐酸小檗碱通过PI3K/Akt信号通路促进小鼠前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1的分化

目的:研究盐酸小檗碱对小鼠前成骨细胞系MC3T3-E1分化与矿化的调控作用及其机制。方法:MC3T3-E1细胞给予不同浓度(0、1、5、10和20 mg/L)的盐酸小檗碱刺激3 d,CCK-8法检测细胞活性。不同浓度的盐酸小檗碱分别干预3 d和7 d,检测细胞碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性。进一步将实验随机分为4组:对照组、盐酸小檗碱组、盐酸小檗碱+LY249002(PI3K/Akt通路抑制剂)组及LY249002组。干预2 d后,采用real-time PCR检测成骨细胞分化相关因子ALP、骨钙素(OCN)、骨桥蛋白(OPN)及Runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)的mRNA表达情况,采用Western blot检测PI3K/Akt信号通路相关蛋白p-Akt的表达水平。将MC3TC-E1细胞用矿化培养基诱导21 d,茜素红染色检测其矿化情况。结果:与对照组相比,不同浓度的盐酸小檗碱对细胞活性的影响没有明显差异;不同浓度的盐酸小檗碱处理MC3T3-E1细胞后ALP活性有不同程度升高。Real-time PCR结果表明,盐酸小檗碱(5 mg/L)促进ALP、OCN、OPN及Runx2的mRNA表达(P 0. 01),而LY294002能抑制这些分化相关因子的表达。Western blot检测结果表明,盐酸小檗碱(5 mg/L)促进p-Akt蛋白的表达(P 0. 01),其作用被LY249002抑制。茜素红染色发现盐酸小檗碱组矿化明显,但LY294002能抑制盐酸小檗碱的促进作用。结论:盐酸小檗碱可以促进小鼠前成骨细胞的分化与矿化,其机制可能与其激活PI3K/Akt信号通路有关。     

磁性四氧化三铁纳米颗粒作用于前成骨细胞的生物相容性

BACKGROUND: Investigations on toxic mechanism and safety of magnetic ferrosoferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles are extremely necessary when these nanoparticles as an emerging material for bone tissue engineering are implanted into the living body. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles with preosteoblasts. METHODS: Mouse preosteoblasts were cultured in 0, 200, 400, 800 mg/L magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles. After 24 hours, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin level, cell proliferation rate, cellular morphology, cytoskeleton variation, cell apoptosis and autophagy-related genes, such as Caspase-3, LC3A, LC3B, were detected by alkaline phosphatase assay kit, ELISA kit, cell counting kit-8 kit, inverted microscope, laser confocal microscopy and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 24 hours of culture, there ware no significant differences between 200 mg/L group and control group. However, in the groups of 400 and 800 mg/L, the ratio of alkaline phosphatase activity to total protein and osteocalcin level increased, the cell proliferation rate decreased, cellular morphology and cytoskeleton changed remarkably, LC3B expression was up-regulated compared with the control group. Additionally, there were also no significant differences in the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3A between 400 and 800 mg/L groups and control group. Therefore, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles at high level contributes to cytotoxicity and up-regulation of LC3B expression, and affects cellular morphology, cytoskeleton and cell proliferation rate, although these nanoparticles can increase the osteoblastic differentiation.        

Limonene attenuates methylglyoxal-induced dysfunction in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

Limonene is a common natural terpene with powerful antioxidative properties. This study investigated the effects of limonene, a terpene found in citrus fruits, on the function of the murine pre-osteoblast cell line, MC3T3-E1 cells. The results showed that limonene treatment significantly elevated collagen synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin synthesis, and mineralization in osteoblastic cells. Methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive dicarbonyl metabolite, is a major precursor of advanced glycation end products, which are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic osteopathy. We therefore investigated the effects of limonene on MG-induced cytotoxicity. Pre-treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with limonene prevented MG-induced cell death and apoptosis. Limonene also reduced MG-triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as indicated by decreases in the levels of the ER-localized transmembrane signal transducers ATF-6 and IRE1. Furthermore, limonene treatment significantly reduced MG-induced autophagic activity and reactive oxygen species release. These results suggest that limonene may prevent the development of diabetic osteopathy.     

Design of a RADA16-based self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold for biomedical applications

RADA16 (RADARADARADARADA) is an amphiphilic polypeptide composed of 16 amino acids, which is composed of alternating positively charged arginine (R), hydrophobic alanine (A) and negatively charged aspartic acid (D) that repeat periodically throughout the composition. This structure allows RADA16 to form an extremely stable and highly ordered β-sheet structure by noncovalent bonding (ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic action, π-π bonds, etc.). Moreover, it can form a three-dimensional (3D) nanofiber hydrogel scaffold in neutral pH with water content higher than 99% and with a physiological saline solution, having excellent biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, etc. Its degradation products are amino acids, which can reduce the possibility of an inflammatory reaction and have little effect on the normal healing process of damaged tissue. In addition, the special 3D structure of RADA16 facilitates the proliferation and differentiation of cells, making it widely used in cell culture scaffolds. Subsequent studies have found that the C-terminus or N-terminus of RADA16 is modified by a specific functional peptide, which not only retains the original function of RADA16 but also gives the RADA16 self-assembling hydrogel a more powerful function. In recent years, RADA16 and RADA16-based fusion peptides have been applied in biomedical fields, such as 3D cell culture, tissue repair, rapid hemostasis, and delivery systems, which have broad prospects. This review focuses on recent research and applications of RADA16 and RADA16-based self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) in biomedicine.     

骨碎补总黄酮联合纳米骨材料促进MC3T3-E1细胞的增殖分化

文题释义： 骨碎补总黄酮：是由水龙骨科植物槲蕨的干燥根茎中提取的有效成分,骨碎补总黄酮能够促进成骨细胞增殖,抑制破骨细胞成熟分化。 Wnt/β-catenin信号通路：是一类高度保守的信号通路,广泛存在于多细胞真核生物中,是皮肤发育过程中出现最早的分子信号,调控毛囊的生长发育和毛囊干细胞的迁移分化。β-catenin作为细胞内信号传导蛋白,是Wnt信号通路激活的一种重要的上皮细胞表面黏附分子,能够进入细胞核内传递Wnt信号,进一步激活靶基因开始转录,启动细胞增殖周期。 背景：前期研究发现,骨碎补总黄酮可促进纳米骨材料表面MC3T3-E1细胞的成骨分化,其作用机制有待进一步研究。 目的：探究骨碎补总黄酮联合纳米骨材料对MC3T3-E1细胞发挥作用的机制。 方法：将MC3T3-E1细胞与纳米骨材料共培养,选取100 mg/L和250 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮进行药物干预,以10 μg/L转化生长因子β刺激为阳性对照组。分组如下：①正常组;②DKK1组：Wnt通路抑制剂DKK1      (0.1 mg/L)阻断Wnt/β-catenin信号通路;③DKK1+转化生长因子β组;④DKK1+100 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮组;⑤DKK1+250 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮组;⑥DKK1+纳米骨+转化生长因子β组;⑦DKK1+纳米骨+100 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮组;⑧DKK1+纳米骨+250 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮组。在干预24,48 h后收获细胞,免疫荧光双染法观察Wnt/β-catenin通路中Wnt与LRP结合情况,Real-time PCR和Western blot检测β-catenin、LRP5、Gsk-3β、Cyclin D1、RUNX2的表达。 结果与结论：①激光共聚焦扫描显微镜下显示DKK1+转化生长因子β组、DKK1+250 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮组、DKK1+纳米骨+转化生长因子β组、DKK1+纳米骨+250 mg/L骨碎补总黄酮组棕黄色染色较明显,表明Wnt与LRP结合较其他组更好;②Real-time PCR和Western blot结果显示,骨碎补总黄酮可促进β-catenin、LRP5、RUNX2的表达,下调GSK-3β的表达,说明骨碎补总黄酮通过激活经典Wnt/β-catenin 信号通路促进成骨细胞增殖分化,且骨碎补总黄酮诱导的基因活化呈剂量依赖性。 ORCID: 0000-0002-2031-8644(李晋玉) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

纳米壳聚糖对MC3T3-E1成骨细胞生长的影响

背景：已有体内急性毒理实验证实,壳聚糖纳米微囊的半数致死量高于2 000 mg/kg,但其具体致病机制目前尚不明确。 目的：分析纳米壳聚糖作为骨替代材料对MC3T3-E1成骨细胞生长及大鼠肝、肾等器官生理功能的影响。 方法：将MC3T3-E1成骨细胞分别在含0(对照)、10 mg/L、100 mg/L、1 g/L、10 g/L纳米壳聚糖的DMEM培养液中培养,检测各组细胞A值。透射电镜观察10 g/L纳米壳聚糖溶液培养MC3T3-E1成骨细胞24 h后的细胞形态变化。采用PBS制备10 g/L纳米壳聚糖悬浮液,分别以166.67,16.67 mg/kg经腹腔注射至SD大鼠体内4周,每周3次,正常对照组注射等量生理盐水,血清生化指标分析大鼠肝、肾功能,病理切片观察组织形态学改变、炎症细胞浸润情况。 结果与结论：与对照组比较,10 mg/L、100 mg/L、1 g/L、10 g/L的纳米壳聚糖溶液均抑制MC3T3-E1细胞的生长(P < 0.05)。透射电镜见团聚的壳聚糖存在于MC3T3-E1细胞浆中,细胞表面的伪足形成,细胞膜呈波浪状起伏,细胞核变性、碎裂及固缩。与正常对照组比较,注射纳米壳聚糖悬浮液两组大鼠血尿素氮、Na+水平均有明显升高(P < 0.05),高剂量组K+水平明显降低(P < 0.01);肝脏、肾脏均出现组织细胞凋亡现象,高剂量组凋亡更加明显。表明纳米壳聚糖可导致细胞凋亡,超过一定剂量可造成肾功能受损,对机体生理功能造成影响。     

骨形态发生蛋白2诱导C2C12和MC3T3-E1的成骨分化与自噬

背景：一系列研究表明自噬与分化有密切联系;骨形态发生蛋白2是诱导C2C12、MC3T3-E1成骨分化经典途径,是研究成骨分化过程的理想模型。 目的：观察自噬与骨形态发生蛋白2诱导细胞株C2C12、MC3T3-E1成骨分化的关系。 方法：Real-Time PCR检测MC3T3-E1与C2C12在骨形态发生蛋白2(100 μg/L)诱导培养3 d后成骨与自噬相关指标变化。碱性磷酸酶染色检测不同浓度3-甲基腺嘌呤(0,1,5,10 mmol/L)对骨形态发生蛋白2(100 μg/L)诱导培养7 d MC3T3-E1与C2C12成骨指标碱性磷酸酶变化,Western Blot检测C2C12和MC3T3-E1在骨形态发生蛋白2(100 μg/L)诱导不同时间点(0,12,24,48,72,96 h)LC3-Ⅰ/Ⅱ蛋白表达水平。 结果与结论：在骨形态发生蛋白2诱导细胞株C2C12、MC3T3-E1成骨分化过程中,诱导自噬相关mRNA与蛋白水平均有增高趋势,且自噬相关蛋白LC3水平增高与时间相关。同时,抑制自噬成骨分化过程中碱性磷酸酶表达水平降低。因此,自噬与骨形态发生蛋白2诱导细胞株C2C12、MC3T3-E1成骨分化过程有密切关系。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

The mechanical stimulation of cells in 3D culture within a self-assembling peptide hydrogel

The aim of this present study was to provide a scaffold as a tool for the investigation of the effect of mechanical stimulation on three-dimensionally cultured cells. For this purpose, we developed an artificial self-assembling peptide (SPG-178) hydrogel scaffold. The structural properties of the SPG-178 peptide were confirmed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of the SPG-178 hydrogel were studied using rheology measurements. The SPG-178 peptide was able to form a stable, transparent hydrogel in a neutral pH environment. In the SPG-178 hydrogel, mouse skeletal muscle cells proliferated successfully (increased by 12.4 ± 1.5 times during 8 days of incubation; mean ± SEM). When the scaffold was statically stretched, a rapid phosphorylation of ERK was observed (increased by 2.8 ± 0.2 times; mean ± SEM). These results demonstrated that the developed self-assembling peptide gel is non-cytotoxic and is a suitable tool for the investigation of the effect of mechanical stimulation on three-dimensional cell culture.     

Sunflower seed extract enhances the differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Osteoporosis is recognised as one of the major hormonal deficiency diseases, especially in menopausal women and the elderly. The present study investigated whether treatment with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed extract (SSE) may affect the function of MC3T3-E1 osteogenic cells. In order to determine the growth and differentiation of osteoblast, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis and osteocalcin secretion were performed. Also, the production of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was measured. SSE significantly (p<0.05) increased cell growth, ALP activity, collagen content and osteocalcin secretion compared with control. The effect of SSE (50 µg/ml) in increasing cell growth, ALP activity and collagen content was prevented by the presence of 10^?6 M cycloheximide and 10^?6 M ICI182780, suggesting that SSE's effect results from a newly synthesised protein component and might be partly involved in oestrogen action. Treatment with SSE (10 and 50 µg/ml) decreased the 5 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide-induced production of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in osteoblasts. Our data indicate that the enhancement of osteoblast function by sunflower seed may result in the prevention for osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases.     

Abnormal Differentiation in MC3T3-E1 Preosteoblasts Expressing a Dominant-Negative Type I Collagen Mutation

To examine the effects that an organizing extracellular matrix might have on osteoblast precursors, we created MC3T3-E1 cell lines that stably incorporated a plasmid that expressed proαl(I) collagen chains having a truncated triple helical domain. Cells that had incorporated the proαl(I) expression plasmid (pMG155) efficiently secreted molecules with shortened prood(I) chains into culture media. Electron micrographs indicated that expression of the minigene dramatically interferes with normal type I collagen fibril architecture. The turnover of newly deposited collagenous matrix as measured by ³[H]-hydroxyproline release was 29% after a 14 day chase in cells expressing the mini-gene compared to essentially no turnover in control cultures. MC3T3-E1 cells in culture normally demonstrate a time dependent reduction of cell division followed by an increase in osteoblast characteristics. Cell number was consistently 20–25% higher than control in MC3T3-E1 cultures expressing the truncated prooαl(I) gene but ALP activity was only 45% of control. Secretion and steady state mRNA levels for osteocalcin were over fivefold higher than control cultures but expression of other extracellular matrix components was not changed. These findings demonstrate that osteoblasts require a normally structured collagenous matrix for inhibition of cellular proliferation and subsequent upregulation of ALP. However, in the presence of rapid turnover of osteoblast matrix, the gene for osteocalcin may be upregulated in response to local signals.