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Effects of Ulmus davidiana planch on mineralization, bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and collagenase-1 in bone cells.

Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) (UD) long has been known to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on damaged tissue, inflammation, and bone among other functions. The herbal medicine also is being used in Oriental medicine to treat osteoporosis. In a preliminary study, treatment of osteoclasts containing long bone cells with the water extract of UD bark prevented the intracellular maturation of cathepsin K (cat K), and thus, it was considered that UD is a pro-drug of a potent bone-resorption inhibitor. To further clarify the role of UD in ossification, we investigated the effects of UD on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cell lines in vitro. In this study, we assessed the effects of UD on osteoblastic differentiation in nontransformed osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) and rat bone marrow cells. UD enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. This stimulatory effect of the UD was observed at relatively low doses (significant at 5-50 microg/ml and maximal at 50 microg/ml). Northern blot analysis showed that UD (100 microg/ml) increases in bone morphogenic protein-2 as well as ALP mRNA concentrations in MC3T3-E1 cells. UD slightly increased in type I collagen mRNA abundance throughout the culture period, whereas it markedly inhibited the gene expression of collagenase-1 between days 15 and 20 of culture. These results indicate that UD has anabolic effects on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Effects of TGF-beta1 and triiodothyronine on cartilage maturation: in vitro analysis using long-term high-density micromass cultures of chick embryonic limb mesenchymal cells.

Endochondral ossification is initiated by differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes, which produce a cartilaginous matrix, proliferate, mature, and undergo hypertrophy, followed by matrix calcification, and substitution of cartilage by bone. A number of hormones and growth factors have been implicated in this process. Using in vitro, long-term, high-density, micromass cultures of chick embryonic mesenchyme, that recapitulate the process of chondrogenesis, chondrocyte maturation, and hypertrophy, we have investigated the importance of a balance between proliferation and apoptosis in cartilage maturation, focusing specifically on the effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and the thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3). Our results showed that TGF-beta1 stimulates proliferation, by week 2 of culture, and T3 inhibits proliferation by week 3. Cell size increases in cultures treated with T3. Collagen type X is expressed in all culture, and delay in matrix deposition is seen only in the cultures treated with TGF-beta1. T3 stimulates alkaline phosphatase activity, but not calcification. T3 enhances apoptosis, as seen by TUNEL staining, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The results support the roles of T3 and TGF-beta in cartilage maturation, i.e., TGF-beta stimulates proliferation and suppresses hypertrophy, while T3 stimulates hypertrophy and apoptosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-1) involvement in intrauterine growth retardation: study on IGFBP-1 overexpressing transgenic mice.

In humans, intrauterine growth retardation is correlated to high levels of serum IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). This present study analyzes in vivo the impact of circulating IGFBP-1 on body growth associated to bone mineralization and carbohydrate resources. Transgenic mice used in this work overexpressed human IGFBP-1 in liver from embryonic day (E)14.5, concomitantly to the appearance of ossification centers, through to adulthood. Growth retardation was observed as early as E17.5 in homozygous (HM) mice being 20% smaller at birth (postnatal d 1). Anatomical analysis of the skeletons by alizarin red and alcian blue staining showed that the mice exhibited pleiotropic defects of several skeletal units. Some bones were small and dysmorphic. Our results showed reduced mineralization in the posterior area of the skull (delayed suture closure), as well as in the appendicular and axial skeleton. Heterozygous crossings showed a loss of HM animals. Moreover, IGFBP-1 overexpression contributed to decreased fetal hepatic glycogen and neonate blood glucose levels which constitute the main reservoir of carbohydrate resources for neonates. Thus, this reduced carbohydrate pool contributed to perinatal mortality. Maternal IGFBP-1 expression was also clearly associated with neonate growth retardation (newborn weights from HM mothers were 20% smaller than newborns from NT mothers) and reduced fetal carbohydrate resources. In conclusion, antenatal growth retardation and delayed mineralization in transgenic mice are related to overexpressed fetal and maternal circulating human IGFBP-1. Similar perturbations could be observed in human intrauterine growth retardation suggesting the IGF/IGFBP system is involved in fetal growth, biomineralization, and energetic status in humans.

Animals↗

Participation of Cbfa1 in regulation of chondrocyte maturation.

OBJECTIVE: Cbfa1 is a transcription factor, which is classified into the runt family. The mice lacking this gene display complete loss of bone formation, indicating that Cbfa1 is an essential factor for osteoblast differentiation. The Cbfa1-deficient mice also show an abnormality in cartilage development. Although cartilage anlagens are well formed in these mice, endochondral ossification is blocked, and most of chondrocytes fail to differentiate into their maturation form as characterized by the absence of type X collagen and low levels of alkaline phosphatase activity. It is suggested that Cbfa1 may participate in chondrocyte differentiation. In this study, we have investigated the role of Cbfa1 in chondrocytes during their cytodifferentiation in vitro. DESIGN: To investigate the role of Cbfa1 in regulation of chondrocyte differentiation, we over-expressed Cbfa1 or its dominant negative form in cultured chick chondrocytes using a retrovirus (RCAS)system and examined changes in chondrocyte behaviour induced by the introduced genes. RESULTS: Mature chondrocytes isolated form the cephalic portion of sterna seemed to express Cbfa1 more prominently than immature chondrocytes isolated from the one-third caudal portion of sterna. Over-expression of Cbfa1 in immature chondrocytes strongly stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and matrix calcification. In contrast, expression of a dominant negative form of Cbfa1, which lacks the C-terminal PST domain, severely inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity and matrix calcification in mature chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: Taken together with the observation that Cbfa1 transcripts dominantly localized in hypertrophic chondrocytes as well as in osteoblasts, it is suggested that Cbfa1 plays an important role in the progression of chondrocyte maturation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Recent advances in bone biology provide insight into the pathogenesis of bone diseases.

Bone is modeled during embryonic development by endochondral and membranous ossification and is continuously remodeled thereafter under the influence of local and systemic factors to provide structural support and assist in calcium homeostasis. Recent studies of knockout and transgenic mice have increased understanding of the regulation of bone modeling during development and of remodeling of mature bone and have shed new light on the pathogenesis of a number of bone disorders. For example, fibroblast growth factor receptor-3, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase affect the function of chondrocytes during endochondral ossification (the latter two by regulating their life spans and thus growth plate thickness and bone length). Some ubiquitously expressed genes seem unexpectedly to have unique functions that are largely confined to bone cells: M-CSF, C-Fos, PU.1, and NF-kappaB are required for osteoclast formation, whereas c-Src and Mitf (microphthalmia transcription factor) are required for osteoclast activity after the cells have formed. Knockout of these genes results in osteopetrosis, a disorder characterized by persistence in marrow cavities of unresorbed osteocartilaginous matrix and, as in some affected humans, by increased mortality. Some proteins seem to act as negative regulators of bone cell function, for example osteoprotegerin (a soluble TNF receptor) in osteoclasts; osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, and 5-lipoxygenase in osteoblasts. Regulation of osteoclast life span may be an important mechanism by which estrogen and bisphosphonates prevent bone loss in conditions characterized by increased bone resorption, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. The unique requirement of bone cells for certain gene products raises the possibility that these cells may have specific responses to inhibitory or stimulatory agents, and that signaling molecules in these response pathways could be specific targets for novel therapies to treat or prevent common bone diseases.

Animals↗

Expression of the mouse alpha 1(II) collagen gene is not restricted to cartilage during development.

The mouse alpha 1(II) collagen gene has been isolated and a 5' portion of the gene which has low homology to other collagen genes was used to study the pattern of expression during mouse embryogenesis. In situ hybridization studies show that in the mouse, like the chick, alpha 1(II) collagen is expressed in chondrogenic tissues in advance of chondrocyte differentiation. The gene is expressed early in embryogenesis at 9.5 days both in the cranial mesenchyme destined for the chondrocranium, and the sclerotome of the somites, and at 12.5 days in the primordia of the hyoid and the laryngeal cartilage. Type II collagen gene transcripts were found in all the chondrogenic tissues of the axial and appendicular skeleton until the onset of endochondral ossification. Expression of alpha 1(II) collagen mRNA was also observed in non-chondrogenic tissues such as the notochord which may be responsible for inducing chondrogenesis in somitic mesoderm, neural retina, the corneal and conjunctival epithelia and sclera of the developing eye. Expression in the tail tendon was late, at 16.5-18.5 days. Transient expression was also found in the heart at 9.5-12.5 days, the epidermis at 10.5-14.5 days, the calvarial mesenchyme at 12.5-16.5 days, the inner ear at 14.5 days and the fetal brain from 9.5-14.5 days. Within the neural tube, alpha 1(II) collagen mRNA was localized in the proliferative ventricular cells of the forebrain and midbrain of 9.5- to 10.5-day embryos. Subsequently, transcription of the alpha 1(II) collagen gene was confined to restricted areas of the rhombencephalic basal plate, the ventricular layer of the hindbrain and the cervical spinal cord. These examples of expression of the type II collagen gene in the developing nervous system seem to suggest that active transcription of this gene might be associated with early stages of neuroblast differentiation. Type II collagen may therefore have additional roles in development unrelated to chondrogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Architecture and mineralization of developing cortical and trabecular bone of the mandible.

Ossification of the presumptive trabecular bone in the mandibular condyle and the presumptive cortical bone in the mandibular corpus of the pig mandible was investigated during development, using micro-computed tomography (microCT). Three-dimensional architecture and mineralization characteristics were assessed from ten pigs of different developmental ages. In the condyle, increases in trabecular thickness and separation and a decrease in the trabecular number, led to an unchanged bone volume fraction. A conversion from rod-like into plate-like trabeculae was observed. Bone volume and trabecular thickness were always higher in the corpus, where an increase in bone volume fraction was caused by an increase in the trabecular thickness and a decrease in separation. A transition from a plate-like structure into a more compact structure took place. The average degree of mineralization in the condyle and the corpus increased with age. In the corpus, the degrees of mineralization were higher than in the condyle. The differences between the condyle and corpus and the changes with age could be explained by differences in the distribution of mineralization within the trabecular elements. Generally, the degrees of mineralization increased from the surface toward the centers of the trabecular elements, indicating growth of the trabecular elements by the surface apposition of new mineral.

Animals↗

Cbfa1 couples chondrocytes maturation and endochondral ossification in rat mandibular condylar cartilage.

Core binding factor a1 (Cbfa1) is a crucial transcription factor for osteoblasts differentiation and chondrocytes maturation in embryonic skeletal genesis, but little is known about its function in mandibular condylar growth. The aim of this study was to determine the temporal and spatial pattern of Cbfa1 expression in condylar cartilage during natural growth. Mandibular condyles were harvested from 50 female Sprague-Dawley rats at age of 38, 42, 49, 56 and 65 days. Alcian blue and PAS staining was used for histological analysis. Type A antibody raised against Cbfa1 isoform II was observed in the pre-hypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes in condylar cartilage, and in the mature osteocytes in trabecular bone. Type B antibody raised against 17 aa sequence present after the Runt domain was detected in tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive osteoclasts in the erosive front of cartilage, and also in the osteoblasts on the sub-chondral bone surface. In situ hybridisation was carried out with a probe containing a fragment in exon 8 of the cDNA. Cbfa1 transcripts were localised in the osteoblasts and chondrocytes, but not in osteoclasts. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that both types of Cbfa1 proteins reached their maximum level on day 56, which coincided with the terminal maturation of hypertrophic chondrocytes and the aggregation of mineralisation deposits in extracellular matrix. These results suggest that Cbfa1 is a master gene controlling the functions of all the skeletal cell lineages by synthesising different functional isoforms. Furthermore, Cbfa1 couples the process of chondrocytes maturation, extracellular matrix mineralisation and degradation, as well as osteoblasts invasion during endochondral bone formation. Beyond its function on embryonic development, Cbfa1 regulates the postnatal growth of mandibular condyle.

Animals↗

Visualization of early intramembranous ossification by electron microscopic and spectroscopic imaging.

We present electron microscopic and electron spectroscopic images of putative nucleation sites and early mineral deposits during intramembranous ossification of the murine perichondrial ring. Electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) permits the quantitative determination and direct visualization of spatial distribution of atomic elements within specimens at high spatial resolution. In this study ESI was used to determine the elemental distributions of phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium. Nucleation and subsequent mineralization in the perichondrial ring occurred sequentially along the longitudinal axis. Proximal regions of the ring contained a matrix with only a few nucleation sites that are characterized in conventional electron micrographs as small loci of low-density material in which dense particles are located. Elemental maps of these sites that we obtained by ESI reveal a sulfur-containing matrix in which localized concentrations of phosphorus occur. With further maturation the loci became centers for the genesis of numerous dense rods or crystals. These mineral deposits contained increased concentrations of P, S, and Ca, compared with the surrounding matrix. The appearance of S at nucleation sites and its persistence in developing mineral deposits suggests that a sulfur-containing moiety may serve as a locus within the osteoid matrix to attain high local concentrations of Ca and P, which leads to the controlled local formation of calcium phosphates. Calcification of the perichondrial ring has been found to occur in the absence of matrix vesicles, which illustrates that these membrane-bounded organelles are not obligatory sites for nucleation in this matrix.

Animals↗

The correlation between neovascularization and bone formation in the condyle during forward mandibular positioning.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the temporal pattern of expression of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and new bone formation in the condyle during forward mandibular positioning. The importance of vascularization during endochondral ossification was investigated during natural growth of the condyle and compared to that after forward mandibular positioning. The goal was to further our understanding of the cellular responses during functional appliance therapy with a view to extending the experiment into maturity. One hundred and fifty 35 days old Sprague-Dawley rats, 100 fitted with a bite-jumping appliance and 50 untreated, were divided into 10 groups. One group was sacrificed on each of experimental days 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 33, 37, 44, 51 and 60 respectively. Sagittal sections were cut and stained with VEGF antibodies and Periodic acid and Schiff's reagent (PAS). Each section was quantitatively analyzed with a computer assisted analyzing program and the temporal sequence of expression of VEGF and new bone formation during natural growth and after mandibular forward positioning was compared. There was significant increase in both vascularization and mandibular bone growth upon forward mandibular positioning and the highest amount of both were expressed in the posterior region of the condyle. The highest acceleration of vascularization preceded that of new bone formation. Thus, forward mandibular positioning was found to solicit a sequence of cellular events leading to increased vascularization and subsequently new bone formation resulting in enhanced condylar growth.

Analysis of Variance↗

Matrix vesicles as a marker of endochondral ossification.

Endochondral ossification in bone development and repair, and in induced bone formation in mesenchymal tissues, involves recruitment of mesenchymal cells, their differentiation into chondrocytes, and calcification of the cartilagenous matrix. Stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis is used as a biochemical marker of chondrogenesis, however it does not distinguish among chondrogenic phenotypes. Chondrocytes derived from the resting zone and adjacent growth zone cartilage of the costochondral junction of young rats, produce matrix vesicles in culture which are enriched in alkaline phosphatase specific activity with respect to the plasma membrane. Matrix vesicles isolated from cultures of neonatal rat muscle mesenchymal cells are not enriched in this enzyme activity. Alkaline phosphatase in matrix vesicles produced by growth zone chondrocytes is stimulated by 1,25(OH)2D3; enzyme in matrix vesicles produced by resting zone chondrocytes is stimulated by 24,25(OH)2D3; enzyme in matrix vesicles isolated from mesenchymal cell cultures is responsive to neither metabolite. Matrix vesicle phospholipase A2 is stimulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 in growth zone chondrocytes cultures; inhibited by 24,25(OH)2D3 in resting zone chondrocyte cultures; and is unaffected by either metabolite in mesenchymal cell cultures. These observations suggest that matrix vesicle production, as defined by alkaline phosphatase enrichment, and responsiveness of matrix vesicle enzymes to vitamin D metabolites, can be used as markers of phenotypic maturation during chondrogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

Chondrocyte apoptosis is not essential for cartilage calcification: evidence from an in vitro avian model.

The calcification of cartilage is an essential step in the process of normal bone growth through endochondral ossification. Chondrocyte apoptosis is generally observed prior to the transition of calcified cartilage to bone. There are, however, contradictory reports in the literature as to whether chondrocyte apoptosis is a precursor to cartilage calcification, a co-event, or occurs after calcification. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that chondrocyte apoptosis is not a requirement for initial calcification using a cell culture system that mimics endochondral ossification. Mesenchymal stem cells harvested from Stages 21-23 chick limb buds were plated as micro-mass cultures in the presence of 4 mM inorganic phosphate (mineralizing conditions). The cultures were treated with either an apoptosis inhibitor or stimulator and compared to un-treated controls before the start of calcification on day 7. Inhibition of apoptosis with the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp (O-Me)-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-fmk) caused no decreases in calcification as indicated by radioactive calcium uptake or Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of mineral properties. When apoptosis was inhibited, the cultures showed more robust histological features (including more intense staining for proteoglycans, and more intact cells within the nodules as well as along the periphery of the cells as compared to untreated controls), more proliferation as noted by bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, decreases in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Tdt)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and fewer apoptotic bodies in electron microscopy. Stimulation of apoptosis with 40-120 nM staurosporine prior to the onset of calcification resulted in inhibition of calcium accretion, with the extent of total calcium uptake significantly decreased, the amount of matrix deposition impaired, and the formation of abnormal mineral crystals. These results indicate that chondrocyte apoptosis is not a pre-requisite for calcification in this culture system.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Intramembranaceous ossification analyses by a proton microprobe.

The proton induced X-ray emission method in combination with a proton microprobe was applied to study the intramembranaceous ossification. As material sections of mouse embryo skulls from the 17th and 19th day of gestation were used. The morphology of the sample was examined by routine histochemical procedure performed on the sections adjacent to that irradiated by the proton microprobe. The measurements were made in line scan and raster scan mode. The concentrations of P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe and Zn were determined at each irradiated point. The average element concentrations were calculated for four parts of each section (bone, cartilage, mesenchymal tissue close to the bone and mesenchymal tissue in other places). The distributions of Ca and P (less markedly than Ca) concentrations almost exclusively correlate with localization of the bone while S, Cl and K concentrations show preference to the cartilage. The amount of inorganic material in flat bones of the 17-day embryo amounts to 14% of the dry mass. The material is characterized by a Ca/P ratio of about 1.6. In the embryo 2 days older the amount of the inorganic phase is practically the same (15%) while the Ca/P ratio approaches 2. This suggests the presence of the precursor phase in the flat bone calcification. It is possible that octacalcium phosphate (Ca/P ratio equals to 1.72) is formed at the onset of the flat bone mineralization which transforms rapidly (in 2 days) to a more stable mineral (defective hydroxyapatite).

Animals↗

Angiogenesis in the distal femoral chondroepiphysis of the rabbit during development of the secondary centre of ossification.

In the developing chondroepiphyses of long bones, the avascular cartilaginous anlage is invaded by numerous blood vessels, through the process of angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the chronology of this vascular invasion with the spontaneous calcification of the cartilaginous epiphysis during development of the secondary ossification centre in the rabbit distal femur. The time-course of chondroepiphyseal vascular invasion was determined histologically and standardized for eight gestational and four postnatal intervals by plotting kit body mass against crown-rump length. Similarly, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) helped to visualize calcification at those same gestational and postnatal intervals. To confirm the angiogenic nature of the avascular chondroepiphysis, such samples were assayed on the chick chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM). Neovascular outgrowths from the CAM were apparent 48 h following introduction of an 18-day (gestational) chondroepiphyseal sample. Chondroepiphyseal samples were assayed for the potent developmental angiogenic factors bFGF and VEGF, with the mRNA expression for both these mediators being confirmed using RT-PCR. As angiogenesis and calcification during chondroepiphyseal development occur in a defined tissue environment initially devoid of blood vessels and mineral, those processes provided a unique opportunity to study their progression without complication of injury-related inflammation or extant vasculature and mineral. Furthermore, the discovery of angiogenic, angiostatic or mineral-regulating mediators specific to developing connective tissue may prove useful for analysing the regulation of vascular and mineral pathogenesis in articular tissues.

Actins↗

Role of lipids in calcification of cartilage.

This review addresses the role of lipids and membranes in biologic calcification and examines their regulation during endochondral ossification. The close association of lipids with mineral deposition has been well established. Early observations indicated that lipids, particularly phospholipids, can not be totally extracted from calcified tissues until the tissues are decalcified. Phospholipids associated with mineral are also enriched in extracellular membrane vesicles, called matrix vesicles. Numerous studies indicate that mineral deposits in calcifying cartilage are first seen in these phosphatidylserine and alkaline phosphatase enriched vesicles and that the process of endochondral calcification of epiphyseal growth plate is possibly mediated by them. Matrix vesicles, and the phospholipids present in them, appear to be involved in initial formation of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals via the interaction of calcium and phosphate ions with phosphatidylserine to form phospholipid:Ca:Pi complexes (CPLX). CPLX is present in tissues which are undergoing initial mineral deposition but are absent from nonmineralizing tissues. Evidence suggests that CPLX resides in the interior of matrix vesicles where the earliest mineral crystals are formed in association with the vesicle membrane. More recently, it has been determined that specific membrane proteins, called proteolipids, participate in CPLX formation and hydroxyapatite deposition, in part by structuring phosphatidylserine in an appropriate conformation. Phosphatidylserine involvement in the initiation of mineralization has been extensively investigated because of its extremely high binding affinity for Ca2+. In addition to structuring a specific phospholipid environment, proteolipids may also act as ionophores, promoting export of protons and import of calcium and phosphate, both requirements of biologic calcification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Calcium flux and endogenous calcium content in isolated mammalian growth-plate chondrocytes, hyaline-cartilage chondrocytes, and hepatocytes.

The role of chondrocyte mitochondria in endochondral ossification has been the subject of intensive investigation and controversy. The purpose of this study was to quantitate the endogenous calcium content and the maximum capacity for calcium accumulation and release in isolated mammalian growth-plate chondrocytes and hyaline-cartilage chondrocytes. The results indicated that the mitochondria of the isolated growth-plate and hyaline-cartilage chondrocytes possess a greater endogenous calcium content, a greater capacity for calcium accumulation, and a larger labile Ca+2 pool than do the mitochondria of hepatocytes. Growth-plate and hyaline-cartilage mitochondria had an endogenous calcium content of 908 and 142 nanomoles of Ca+2 per milligram of mitochondrial protein. The growth-plate mitochondria had a maximum calcium capacity of 5249 nanomoles of Ca+2 per milligram of mitochondrial protein. In comparison, the mitochondria of hepatocytes had a much smaller endogenous-calcium content and a smaller maximum Ca+2 capacity: twenty-one and 3262 nanomoles of Ca+2 per milligram of mitochondrial protein, respectively. The mitochondrial labile-calcium pool in both growth-plate and hyaline-cartilage chondrocytes was twofold greater than that in the mitochondria of hepatocytes. Chondrocyte mitochondria released approximately 2400 nanomoles of Ca+2 per milligram of mitochondrial protein, whereas hepatocyte mitochondria released 1200 nanomoles of Ca+2 per milligram. These results suggest that the chondrocyte mitochondria are specialized for calcium transport and are important in the calcification of the extracellular matrix of the growth plate.

Animals↗

[Pseudarthrosis treated by percutaneous autologous bone marrow graft].

PURPOSE: This study characterizes the bone marrow from 35 non union sites, not only with respect to the medullary stroma but also the hematopoietic compartment. In this study, we looked for systemic anomalies which could explain susceptibility to non union. We also compare the in vitro activity of bone marrow taken from non union sites with that of samples taken from the iliac crest, of the same patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 6 groups: 26 cases of post-traumatic non union. 2 cases of non union following arthrodesis of the knee for infected prosthesis, 1 case of a non union of a tibiotarsal arthrodesis. 4 cases of regenerated illizarov extensions, which showed no evidence of ossification three months after operation, 2 cases of patients suffering from congenital abnormalities. Samples were taken from a population of 30 "bone marrow donors", to act as controls for the iliac crest samples. RESULTS: Cell density in the iliac crest bone marrow of non union patients is significantly lower than that of controls (p < 0.01). In the hematopoietic compartment of the bone marrow, the number of progenitors (GM-CFU) obtained after culture of iliac crest bone marrow is consistently lower for patients presenting a non union than for controls (p < 0.01). Only infection of non union site (4 cases) seems to be associated with an increase in GM-CFU in the iliac crest. The difference in the average number of F-CFU obtained after culture of bone marrow from non union patients and from controls is lower but is nevertheless significant. 14 of the non union patients have less than half the F-CFU observed as normal in controls and 10 of them yielded less than one quarter. Out of these ten patients, in whom non union was associated with a marked abnormality in the number of F-CFU in the iliac crest (less than one quarter of the total obtained from controls), in 8 cases were other factor or disease which could account for the abnormality such as age (2 cases), clear alcoholic intoxication (1 case), heavy smoking (2 cases), history of chemotherapy (2 cases), and Lobstein's disease (1 case). The values found in non union sites and extension regenerated fibrous tissue suggest that there are relatively few F-CFU to differentiate into fibroblasts. In 12 out of 35 patients studied, the bone marrow generated no F-CFU. Same patients have abnormal low levels of F-CFU obtainable from their iliac crest bone marrow. The number of GM-CFU in fracture site is also extremely low. No local increases in GM-CFU levels are seen in septic focuses. The population of F-CFU and GM-CFU vary with time, in the same patient, at the same site of aspiration. Higher levels of osteogenic activity are seen at the beginning of extension. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that problems related to consolidation may be linked with an overall reduction of bone marrow progenitor cells, as a result of some general physiological problem (chemotherapy, smoking, alcoholic poisoning).

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Signaling by fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2)-activating mutations blocks mineralization and induces apoptosis in osteoblasts.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) play a critical role in bone growth and development affecting both chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. During the process of intramembranous ossification, which leads to the formation of the flat bones of the skull, unregulated FGF signaling can produce premature suture closure or craniosynostosis and other craniofacial deformities. Indeed, many human craniosynostosis disorders have been linked to activating mutations in FGF receptors (FGFR) 1 and 2, but the precise effects of FGF on the proliferation, maturation and differentiation of the target osteoblastic cells are still unclear. In this report, we studied the effects of FGF treatment on primary murine calvarial osteoblast, and on OB1, a newly established osteoblastic cell line. We show that FGF signaling has a dual effect on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. FGFs activate the endogenous FGFRs leading to the formation of a Grb2/FRS2/Shp2 complex and activation of MAP kinase. However, immature osteoblasts respond to FGF treatment with increased proliferation, whereas in differentiating cells FGF does not induce DNA synthesis but causes apoptosis. When either primary or OB1 osteoblasts are induced to differentiate, FGF signaling inhibits expression of alkaline phosphatase, and blocks mineralization. To study the effect of craniosynostosis-linked mutations in osteoblasts, we introduced FGFR2 carrying either the C342Y (Crouzon syndrome) or the S252W (Apert syndrome) mutation in OB1 cells. Both mutations inhibited differentiation, while dramatically inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, we could also show that overexpression of FGF2 in transgenic mice leads to increased apoptosis in their calvaria. These data provide the first biochemical analysis of FGF signaling in osteoblasts, and show that FGF can act as a cell death inducer with distinct effects in proliferating and differentiating osteoblasts.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗