Stimulation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 of in vitro mineralization induced by osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells

Although vitamin D is essential for mineralization of bone, it is as yet unclear whether vitamin D has a direct stimulatory effect on the bone mineralization process. In the present study, the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on in vitro mineralization mediated by osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells was examined. MC3T3-E1 cells continued to grow after they reached confluency, and DNA content and alkaline phosphatase activity increased linearly until about 16 days of culture, whereas 45Ca accumulation into cell and matrix layer remained low. After this period, DNA content plateaued, and 45Ca accumulation increased sharply. Histological examination by von Kossa staining revealed that calcium was accumulated into extracellular matrix. In addition, needle-shaped mineral crystals similar to hydroxyapatite crystals could be demonstrated in between collagen fibrils by electron microscopy. Thus, MC3T3-E1 cells differentiate in vitro into cells with osteoblastic phenotype and exhibit mineralization. When MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 at this stage of culture, there was a dose-dependent stimulation of 45Ca accumulation by 1,25(OH)2D3, and a significant stimulation of 45Ca accumulation was observed with 3 x 10(-10) M 1,25(OH)2D3. Although 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis at the early phase of culture, it did not affect any of these parameters at the late phase when 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulated mineralization. Neither 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 nor human PTH(1-34) affected mineralization in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)2D3. These results demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates matrix mineralization induced by osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, and are consistent with the possibility that 1,25(OH)2D3 has a direct stimulatory effect on bone mineralization process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibition ofin vitro mineralization by aluminum in a clonal osteoblastlike cell line,MC3T3-E1

Summary The direct effect of aluminum on mineralization was examined using an osteoblastlike cell line, MC3T3-E1. The mineralization process was quantitated by measuring⁴⁵Ca accumulation into the cell and matrix layer of MC3T3-E1 cells in culture. The accumulation of⁴⁵Ca into the cell and matrix layer increased dramatically after 13 days of culture without a parallel change in the DNA content of these cells. Because nodular clusters of cells appear around the same period in which a massive mineralization occurs, the marked increase in⁴⁵Ca accumulation after the 13th day of culture appears to represent deposition of⁴⁵Ca into the extracellular matrix. Thus, this culture system offers a useful model for making a quantitative estimation of osteoblast-mediated mineralizationin vitro. When aluminum was added to this system, the accumulation of⁴⁵Ca into the cell matrix layer was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner: 10⁻⁶ M aluminum reduced⁴⁵Ca accumulation to 40.8±2.7% of that in nontreated cells without affecting alkaline phosphatase activity or the DNA content of these cells. Because the concentration of aluminum used in this study is well within the range of serum aluminum levels seen in chronic dialysis patients, the direct effects of aluminum on osteoblast-mediated mineralization shown in the present study may underlie the development of so-called aluminum-induced “osteomalacia” in certain dialysis patients.     

Insulin-like growth factor-I stimulates45Ca-accumulation in cultures of osteoblast-like cells

Summary The effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on calcification in cloned osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells was studied by measuring accumulation of⁴⁵Ca into sodium dodecyl sulfate-insoluble, EDTA-extractable structure that appeared after 2 weeks of culture. The accumulation of⁴⁵Ca was markedly enhanced by incubating cells with IGF-I after 6 weeks of culture. The enhancement was dose-dependent in a range between 0.1 nM and 100 nM. IGF-I stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in the cells cultured for 7 weeks dose-dependently between 0.1 nM and 100 nM. DNA synthesis examined in the cells cultured for 7 weeks was not influenced by 100 nM IGF-I. These results suggest that IGF-I stimulates Ca-accumulation in osteoblast-like cells without stimulating their proliferation.     

Biological effects of low power laser irradiation on clonal osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1)

Cultured osteoblastic cells were studied to determine the effects of laser irradiation on their rates of proliferation, differentiation, and calcification. A continuous wave Helium-Neon laser with a wavelength of 632.8 nm was used for this study. Clonal osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) were exposed to laser beam at various energy densities. The cell growth rate and DNA synthesis were increased by laser irradiation only in the growing phase of culture. During long-term culture, 45Ca accumulation was enhanced by laser irradiation at 1.0 J/cm2, with four sessions of irradiation resulting in a 46% increase over controls. In contrast, no significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was produced by laser irradiation. Electron microscopy revealed a tendency of enlargement of the Golgi apparatus in the laser-treated cells. These results suggest that laser irradiation photoactivates osteoblastic cells, accelerates osteoblastic cell growth and calcification in vitro, and therefore, may promote bone regeneration.     

Effect of interleukin 1 beta on osteoblastic clone MC3T3-E1 cells

Summary The effect of recombinant interleukin 1 Beta (IL-1(β)) was investigated on osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 cloned from mouse calvaria. IL-1(β) stimulated cell proliferation which increased cell number and caused dose-related stimulation of DNA synthesis, with a maximal effect at a concentration of 12.5 U/ml; suppressed alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis maximally at 0.5 and 62.5 U/ml, respectively; and increased the amount of free [³H] hydroxyproline in the cultures, but the amount was quite low. Prostaglandin E₂ synthesis was also stimulated dose dependently by the presence of IL-1(β), with a maximal increase at 2.5 U/ml, at which concentration the prostaglandin E₂ level in the medium was 1.61±0.10 ng/ml. The increased prostaglandin E₂ synthesis did not affect either the IL-1(β)-mediated change in DNA or collagen synthesis or alkaline phosphatase activity. These results extend the possibility that IL-1(β) is to act as a regulator of bone formation.     

1,25(OH)2D3 and dihydrotestosterone interact to regulate proliferation and differentiation of epiphyseal chondrocytes

Growth plate chondrocytes are affected by 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and androgens, which may critically interact to regulate proliferation and differentiation during the male pubertal growth spurt. We investigated possible interactions of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and the non-aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in primary chondrocyte cultures from young male rats. DHT and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ independently stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with maximally effective doses of [10^-8 M] and [10^-12 M], respectively. Both DHT and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ stimulated the expression and release of IGF-I, and the proliferative effects of each hormone were prevented by an IGF-I antibody. DHT and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of their cognate receptors and of IGF-I receptor mRNA (IGF-I-R). 1,25(OH)₂D₃ also stimulated mRNA of the androgen receptor (AR), whereas DHT did not affect mRNA of the vitamin-D receptor (VDR). Coincubation with both steroid hormones did not stimulate receptor mRNAs more than either hormone alone. The proliferative effects of DHT and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ were completely inhibited by simultaneous incubation with both hormones, despite potentiation of IGF-I synthesis. In contrast, both hormones synergistically stimulated cell differentiation as judged by alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen X mRNA, and matrix calcification in long-term experiments. We conclude that DHT and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ interact with respect to chondrocyte proliferation and cell differentiation. The proliferative effects of both hormones are mediated by local IGF-I synthesis. Simultaneous coincubation with both hormones blunts the proliferative effect exerted by either hormone alone, in favor of a more marked stimulation of cell differentiation.     

Differential Effects of Two Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Tyrphostin and Genistein, on Human Bone Cell Proliferation as Compared with Differentiation

Protein tyrosyl phosphorylation is a key determinant of cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the signal transduction pathway(s) responsible for human bone cell proliferation may involve different groups of protein tyrosine kinase (PTKs) as compared with that for differentiation. To achieve this, we investigated the effects of two structurally different PTK inhibitors, viz, tyrphostin A51 and genistein, on the proliferation ([³H]thymidine incorporation) and differentiation [alkaline phosphatase (ALP) specific activity and collagen synthesis] of two normal human bone cell types: mandible-derived and vertebra-derived bone cells. Tyrphostin A51 and genistein each markedly reduced cellular tyrosyl phosphorylation level (assessed by Western analysis using a commercial anti-phosphotyrosine antibody and the enhanced chemiluminescence detection assay), confirming that these two effectors are potent PTK inhibitors in human bone cells. Regarding bone cell proliferation, tyrphostin A51 (5–30 μM) caused, a dose-dependent inhibition of basal [³H]thymidine incorporation of both human bone cell types. In contrast, genistein (5–20 μM), not only did not inhibit, but significantly stimulated [³H]thymidine incorporation of these same cell types in a dose-dependent, biphasic manner, with the optimal stimulatory dose between 10 and 20 μM. These effects on cell proliferation were confirmed by cell number counting. In addition, whereas the mitogenic activity of 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) on human mandible-derived bone cells was completely abolished by 5–30 μM tyrphostin A51, genistein at 5–30 μM enhanced the EGF-induced bone cell proliferation in an additive manner. With respect to bone cell differentiation, tyrphostin A51 and genistein each significantly increased basal ALP specific activity and collagen synthesis in human bone cells. In summary, (1) PTKs are involved in human bone cell proliferation and differentiation; (2) tyrphostin A51 inhibited both basal and EGF-induced cell proliferation, thus tyrphostin-sensitive PTKs are involved in basal and EGF-induced human bone cell proliferation; (3) genistein stimulated basal proliferation and enhanced EGF-mediated cell proliferation, suggesting that genistein-sensitive PTKs may play an inhibitory role in human bone cell proliferation; and (4) these differential effects of PTK inhibitors on human bone cell proliferation and differentiation are independent of basal differentiation status of the cells. Received: 30 July 1997 / Accepted: 20 February 1998     

Dexamethasone enhances differentiation of human osteoblastic cells in vitro

We examined the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the differentiation of osteoblastic cells isolated from human bone in vitro. The morphology of the cells exposed to Dex was transformed into a polygonal shape, while the cells exhibited a fibroblastic spindle shape in the absence of Dex. Staining for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was more intense in Dex-treated cultures. In monolayer cultures, mineralization by the human osteoblastic cells was also stimulated by Dex treatment. The ALP activity of the cells cultured for 6 days in 10⁻⁸–10⁻⁶ M Dex increased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ALP activity of the cells treated with 10⁻⁷M Dex for 9 days was 1.4-fold higher than that of the cells treated with 10⁻⁷M Dex for the first 3 days, followed by withdrawal for 6 days. Biochemical indicators of osteoblastic differentiation, which include ALP activity and secretion of procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide (PICP) and osteocalcin, were significantly enhanced in the cells exposed to Dex at 10⁻⁷M for 5 days. On the other hand, the time-dependent increase of ALP activity and osteocalcin levels in the control cells suggested that the cells gradually differentiate in continuous culture after they reached confluency. These findings suggest that Dex at the indicated concentration in this study enhances differentiation of human osteoblastic cells in vitro.     

Endogenous bone morphogenetic proteins mediate 1α, 25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐induced expression of osteoblast differentiation markers in human dermal fibroblasts

Human dermal fibroblasts are generally considered to be restricted to a fibroblastic lineage. Although dermal fibroblasts do not typically express markers of osteoblastic differentiation, they have previously been shown to undergo osteoinduction when stimulated with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) or vitamin D₃. However, involvement of BMP signaling in vitamin D₃‐mediated osteoinduction has not been reported. In this study, human dermal fibroblasts were cultured in chemically defined medium containing vitamin D₃, in the presence of the BMP antagonist noggin or neutralizing antibodies specific for BMP‐4 or BMP‐6, and characterized for markers of osteoblastic differentiation. Treatment of dermal fibroblasts with vitamin D₃ induced expression of BMP‐4 (1.2 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2, and 1.8 ± 0.2 relative fold increase) and BMP‐6 (9.1 ± 0.3, 23.3 ± 2.1, and 30.4 ± 3.0 relative fold increase) at 3, 14, and 21 days, respectively. Vitamin D₃ was also shown to induce the expression of the osteoblast‐specific markers, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, in a dose‐dependent manner in human dermal fibroblasts. Addition of noggin, BMP‐4 antibodies, and BMP‐6 antibodies resulted in a downregulation of alkaline phosphatase activity (by 42%, 22%, and 20%, respectively) and secreted osteocalcin (by 20%, 31%, and 49%, respectively) after 21 days in culture. However, blocking BMP signaling did not result in complete recovery of a fibroblastic phenotype. Taken together, these results suggest that BMP signaling plays a role in the induction of an osteoblastic phenotype in human dermal fibroblasts in response to vitamin D₃ stimulation. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:162–168, 2009     

Effects of transforming growth factor type β on expression of cytoskeletal proteins in endosteal mouse osteoblastic cells

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) has been shown to influence the growth and differentiation of many cell types in vitro. We have examined the effects of TGFβ on cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization in relation to parameters of cell proliferation and differentiation in endosteal osteoblastic cells isolated from mouse caudal vertebrae. Treatment of mouse osteoblastic cells cultured in serum free medium for 24 hours with TGFβ (1.5–30 ng/mL) slightly (− 23%) inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity. In parallel, TGFβ (0.5–30 ng/mL, 24 hours) greatly increased cell replication as evaluated by [³H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA (157% to 325% of controls). At a median dose (1.5 ng/mL) that affected both alkaline phosphatase and DNA synthesis (235% of controls) TGFβ induced rapid (six hours) cell respreading of quiescent mouse osteoblastic cells. This effect was associated with increased polymerization of actin, actinin, and tubulins, as evaluated by both biochemical and immunofluorescence methods. In addition, TGFβ (1.5 ng/mL) increased the de novo biosynthesis of actin, actinin, vimentin, and tubulins, as determined by [³⁵S] methionine labeling and fractionation of cytoskeletal proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These effects were rapid and transient, as they occurred at six hours and were reversed after 24 hours of TGFβ exposure. The results indicate that the stimulatory effect of TGFβ on DNA synthesis in endosteal mouse osteoblastic cells is associated with a transient increase in cell spreading associated with enhanced polymerization and synthesis of cytoskeletal proteins.     

Triiodothyronine, a Regulator of Osteoblastic Differentiation: Depression of Histone H4, Attenuation of c-fos/c-jun, and Induction of Osteocalcin Expression

Thyroid hormones influence growth and differentiation of bone cells. In vivo and in vitro data indicate their importance for development and maintenance of the skeleton. Triiodothyronine (T3) inhibits proliferation and accelerates differentiation of osteoblasts. We studied the regulatory effect of T3 on markers of proliferation as well as on specific markers of the osteoblastic phenotype in cultured MC3T3-E1 cells at different time points. In parallel to the inhibitory effect on proliferation, T3 down-regulated histone H4 mRNA expression. Early genes (c-fos/c-jun) are highly expressed in proliferating cells and are down-regulated when the cells switch to differentiation. When MC3T3-E1 cells are cultured under serum-free conditions, basal c-fos/c-jun expressions are nearly undetectable. Under these conditions, c-fos/c-jun mRNAs can be stimulated by EGF, the effect of which is attenuated to about 46% by T3. In addition, T3 stimulated the expression at the mRNA and protein level of osteocalcin, a marker of mature osteoblasts and alkaline phosphatase activity. All these effects were more pronounced when cells were cultured for more than 6 days. These data indicate that T3 acts as a differentiation factor in osteoblasts by influencing the expression of cell cycle–regulated, of cell growth–regulated, and of phenotypic genes. Received: 10 May 1996 / Accepted: 5 June 1997     

Transient dynamic actin cytoskeletal change stimulates the osteoblastic differentiation

Dynamic cytoskeletal changes appear to be one of intracellular signals that control cell differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of short-term actin cytoskeletal changes on osteoblastic differentiation. We found an actin polymerization interfering reagent, cytochalasin D, promoted osteoblastic differentiation in mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. We also found that these effects were mediated by the protein kinase D (PKD) pathway. Short-term cytochalasin D treatment increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OCN) secretion, and mineralization of the extracellular matrix in MC3T3-E1 cells, with temporary changes in actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the disruption of actin cytoskeleton induced phosphorylation of 744/748 serine within the activation loop of PKD in a dose-dependent manner. The protein kinase C (PKC)/PKD inhibitor Go6976 suppressed cytochalasin D-induced acceleration of osteoblastic differentiation, whereas Go6983, a specific inhibitor of conventional PKCs, did not. Involvement of PKD signaling was confirmed by using small interfering RNA to knock down PKD. In addition, another actin polymerization interfering reagent, latrunculin B, also stimulated ALP activity and OCN secretion with PKD activation. On the other hand, the present data suggested that transient dynamic actin cytoskeletal reorganization could be a novel cellular signal that directly stimulated osteoblastic differentiation. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Distinct proliferative and differentiated stages of murine MC3T3-E1 cells in culture: an in vitro model of osteoblast development.

We examine clonal murine calvarial MC3T3-E1 cells to determine if they exhibit a developmental sequence similar to osteoblasts in bone tissue, namely, proliferation of undifferentiated osteoblast precursors followed by postmitotic expression of differentiated osteoblast phenotype. During the initial phase of developmental (days 1-9 of culture), MC3T3-E1 cells actively replicate, as evidenced by the high rates of DNA synthesis and progressive increase in cell number, but maintain a fusiform appearance, fail to express alkaline phosphatase, and do not accumulate mineralized extracellular collagenous matrix, consistent with immature osteoblasts. By day 9 the cultures display cuboidal morphology, attain confluence, and undergo growth arrest. Downregulation of replication is associated with expression of osteoblast functions, including production of alkaline phosphatase, processing of procollagens to collagens, and incremental deposition of a collagenous extracellular matrix. Mineralization of extracellular matrix, which begins approximately 16 days after culture, marks the final phase of osteoblast phenotypic development. Expression of alkaline phosphatase and mineralization is time but not density dependent. Type I collagen synthesis and collagen accumulation are uncoupled in the developing osteoblast. Although collagen synthesis and message expression peaks at day 3 in immature cells, extracellular matrix accumulation is minimal. Instead, matrix accumulates maximally after 7 days of culture as collagen biosynthesis is diminishing. Thus, extracellular matrix formation is a function of mature osteoblasts. Ascorbate and beta-glycerol phosphate are both essential for the expression of osteoblast phenotype as assessed by alkaline phosphatase and mineralization of extracellular matrix. Ascorbate does not stimulate type I collagen gene expression in MC3T3-E1 cells, but it is absolutely required for deposition of collagen in the extracellular matrix. Ascorbate also induces alkaline phosphatase activity in mature cells but not in immature cells. beta-glycerol phosphate displays synergistic actions with ascorbate to further stimulate collagen accumulation and alkaline phosphatase activity in postmitotic, differentiated osteoblast-like cells. Mineralization of mature cultures requires the presence of beta-glycerol phosphate. Thus, MC3T3-E1 cells display a time-dependent and sequential expression of osteoblast characteristics analogous to in vivo bone formation. The developmental sequence associated with MC3T3-E1 differentiation should provide a useful model to study the signals that mediate the switch between proliferation and differentiation in bone cells, as well as provide a renewable culture system to examine the molecular mechanism of osteoblast maturation and the formation of bone-like extracellular matrix.     

Effects of transforming growth factor-β1 and fibroblast growth factor on DNA synthesis in growth plate chondrocytes are enhanced by insulin-like growth factor-I

The local tissue metabolism is controlled through the complex interaction between systemic and local growth factors. In recent years, an increasing number of autocrine or paracrine growth regulators have been identified in physeal cartilage. While these factors act to alter chondrocytes phenotypically and presumably are important mediators in the process of endochondral ossification, the manner in which they interact with the systemically regulated growth factor insulin-like growth factor-I is unknown. In the present study, the interactive effects of insulin-like growth factor-I with transforming growth factor-β1 or basic fibroblast growth factor were examined in short-term monolayer cultures of chick growth plate chondrocytes. [³H]thymidine incorporation was maximally stimulated 11-fold by fibroblast growth factor (10 ng/ml) and 3.5-fold by transforming growth factor-β1 following a 24-hour exposure in serum-containing cultures. The effects of transforming growth factor-β1 and fibroblast growth factor at both high and low concentrations were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by insulin-like growth factor-I, with a 40–50% increase in DNA synthesis in the presence of 100 ng/ml of insulin-like growth factor-I. Since insulin-like growth factor-I increased [³H]thymidine incorporation after 48 hours (50% increase) but not after 24 hours of exposure, these observations represent a synergistic interaction. Total DNA in cultures treated for 5 days confirmed the modulating effect of insulin-like growth factor-I with transforming growth factor-β1 and fibroblast growth factor. The growth factors were further examined for their effects on markers of chondrocyte differentiation. While all three caused a dose-dependent inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity, the effects of insulin-like growth factor-I were additive only to those of transforming growth factor-β1 and fibroblast growth factor. Similarly, insulin-like growth factor-I did not affect the sulfate incorporation stimulated by fibroblast growth factor or transforming growth factor-β1. Insulin-like growth factor-I had no effect on total protein synthesis after 24 hours and, although type-II collagen mRNA levels were stimulated, it had no effect on type-X collagen mRNA, as determined by quantitative in situ hybridization. Finally, insulin-like growth factor-I did not alter the dose-dependent stimulation of noncollagen protein synthesis and the inhibition of collagen synthesis caused by fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 in 24-hour cultures. Thus, the data suggest that insulin-like growth factor-I may have a role in augmenting the effects of other growth factors found in cartilage. Since insulin-like growth factor-I is under systemic control by growth hormones, this permits an endocrine regulation of transforming growth factor-β1 and fibroblast growth factor activity and may bring local growth factor effects under systemic control.     

Evidence for a role of p38 MAP kinase in expression of alkaline phosphatase during osteoblastic cell differentiation.

In the present study, we investigate the implication of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) Erk, p38, and JNK in mediating the effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. Erk is stimulated by FCS in proliferating, early-differentiating, as well as in mature cells. Activation of p38 by FCS is not detected in proliferating cells but is observed as the cells differentiate. JNK is activated in response to FCS throughout the entire differentiation process, but a maximal stimulation is observed in early differentiating cells. The roles of Erk and p38 pathways in mediating MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation was determined using specific inhibitors such as U0126 and SB203580, respectively. These experiments confirmed that the Erk pathway is essential for mediating cell proliferation in response to FCS, but indicated that this MAP kinase has little effect in regulating the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. In contrast, p38 only marginally influenced proliferation, but appeared to be critical for the control of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in differentiating cells. Finally, results obtained with high doses of SB203580, which also affected JNK activity, suggest that p38 and/or JNK are probably also involved in the control of type 1 collagen and osteocalcin expression in differentiating cells. The data indicate that MAPKs regulate different stages of MC3T3-E1 cell development in response to FCS. Distinct MAPK pathways seem to independently modulate osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation, with Erk playing an essential role in cell replication, whereas p38 is involved in the regulation of ALP expression during osteoblastic cell differentiation. JNK is also probably involved in the regulation of osteoblastic cell differentiation, but its precise role requires further investigation.