Platelet-poor plasma stimulates the proliferation but inhibits the differentiation of rat osteoblastic cells in vitro.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have shown that the use of platelet preparations in bone and implant surgery might stimulate bone formation. However, the biological mechanisms are not well understood. Moreover, few studies have attempted to evaluate the effect of platelet-poor plasma (PPP), which is a product of the platelet-rich plasma preparation process. OBJECTIVE: Thus, this study investigated the behavior of osteoblasts isolated from fetal rat calvaria cultivated in the presence of homologous PPP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PPP was obtained by centrifugation of the rat mother's blood and used in replacement of fetal calf serum, which is classically used in primary culture procedures. Proliferation was measured by an MTT assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. Real-time PCR was performed to study the expression of Runx2, Dlx5, and osteocalcin (OC) on days 0 (4 h), 1, 3, 7, and 12. RESULTS: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) biochemical activity was evaluated on days 0 (4 h), 1, 3, 7, and 12. Observations by phase-contrast microscopy showed that osteoblasts were able to differentiate until the mineralization of the matrix in the presence of PPP. PPP enhanced the proliferation significantly compared with the control group (P< or =0.001). PCR results showed that Runx2, Dlx5, and OC were expressed by cells in the experimental group at lower levels compared with the control group. Biochemical assay of ALP showed a lower activity in the experimental group compared with the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that, in the presence of homologous PPP, rat osteoblastic cells are able to maintain their phenotype, with a higher rate of proliferation. However, PPP seems to inhibit osteoblastic differentiation.

Expression pattern of Dlx3 during cell differentiation in mineralized tissues.

The present study was designed to compare the expression pattern of Dlx3 in four different mineralized tissues because of: 1-its role in skeleton patterning, 2-its expression in dental epithelium and mesenchyme during morphogenesis, 3-the membranous and endochondral bone and tooth phenotype of tricho-dento-osseous syndrome related to Dlx3 gene mutation and 4-recently emerging knowledge on Dlx family members in the bone field. Ameloblasts, odontoblasts, osteoblasts and chondrocytes were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Dlx3 transcripts were detected by RT-PCR in established model systems (microdissected dental epithelium and mesenchyme; primary cultures of rat chondrocytes), as recently performed in osteoblasts in vitro. A human 414-bp Dlx3 probe was generated. A 4.5-kb human Dlx3 sense RNA was identified in maxillo-facial samples by Northern blotting. Immunolabeling and in situ hybridization were performed in mice from Theiler stage E 14.5 until birth. In teeth, although Dlx3 was still expressed in differentiated ameloblasts, it was down regulated during odontoblast polarization. During endochondral bone formation, Dlx3 protein was detected in chondrocytes and was most strongly expressed in the prehypertrophic cartilage zone and in differentiating and differentiated osteoblasts of metaphyseal periosteum. In vitro, real-time PCR studies supported this upregulation in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, closely correlated with Ihh variations. In membranous bone, Dlx3 was present in preosteoblasts, osteoblasts and osteoid-osteocytes. The present data on Dlx3 and recently published functional studies show that this transcription factor may be instrumental during growth in the control of matrix deposition and biomineralization in the entire skeleton.

The modulation of tissue-specific gene expression in rat nasal chondrocyte cultures by bioactive glasses.

Since bone repair may occur, following endochondral ossification, we have investigated the behaviour of chondrocytes isolated from nasal septum cartilage of foetal rats and cultured up to 21 days in the presence of a melt-derived bioactive glass (Bioglass 45S5) and a less reactive glass with 60 wt% silica content (60S). In both cultures, chondrocytes proliferate and form typical cartilaginous nodules on day 5 of cultures. However, on day 12, the nodules in contact with 45S5 granules became darker than in 60S cultures, corresponding to the emergence of matrix biomineralization. Transmission electron microscopy showed a collagen-rich matrix composed of densely packed fibres and mineralized foci formed of needle-shaped crystals in contact with an electron-dense layer located at the periphery of the material. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase was significant higher in 45S5 cultures on day 15 than in 60S cultures. Real time RT-PCR was used to monitor gene expression levels of specific chondrogenic markers. The transcription factor Sox9 was expressed throughout the culture period, but with no significant differences between the two kinds of cultures. In contrast, Runx2 expression was higher in experiment cultures on day 12. Type II collagen mRNA and aggrecan, showed an almost similar expression pattern with a strong expression at the beginning of cultures but higher in experiment cultures. Indian hedgehog was strongly expressed between day 9 and 12 with a significant stimulation in 45S5 cultures. Similarly, type X collagen mRNA seemed to be up-regulated in 45S5 cultures on day 20. In conclusion, this study shows hat 45S5 Bioglass has the ability to support the growth of chondrocytes and to stimulate some chondrogenic molecular markers.

Biodentine induces immortalized murine pulp cell differentiation into odontoblast-like cells and stimulates biomineralization.

INTRODUCTION: Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Faussés, France), a new tricalcium silicate-based cement, has recently been commercialized and advertised as a bioactive material. Its clinical application and physical properties have been widely described, but, so far, its bioactivity and biological effect on pulp cells have not been clearly shown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effect of Biodentine on immortalized murine pulp cells (OD-21). METHODS: OD-21 cells were cultured with or without Biodentine. Cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) colorimetric assay after 2, 3, and 5 days of stimulation. The expression of several biomolecular markers was analyzed to screen differentiation pathways, both on a gene level with Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and on a protein level by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity. Alizarin red staining was used to assess and quantify biomineralization. RESULTS: The expression patterns of several genes confirmed the differentiation of OD-21 cells into odontoblasts during the period of cell culture. Our results suggest that Biodentine is bioactive because it increased OD-21 cell proliferation and biomineralization in comparison with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its bioactivity, Biodentine can be considered as a suitable material for clinical indications of dentin-pulp complex regeneration, such as direct pulp capping.

The effect of globin scaffold on osteoblast adhesion and phenotype expression in vitro.

PURPOSE: Different synthetic and natural biomaterials have been used in bone tissue regeneration. However, several limitations are associated with the use of synthetic as well as allogenous or xenogenous natural materials. This study evaluated, in an in vitro model, the behavior of rat osteoblastic cells cultured on a human globin scaffold. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat osteoblastic cells were isolated from the calvaria of 21-day-old fetal Sprague-Dawley rats. They were then grown in the presence of globin. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to study the expression of cyclin D1, integrin Β1, Msx2, Dlx5, Runx2, and osteocalcin on days 1, 5, and 9. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase activity was measured on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Alizarin red staining was performed on day 9 to observe calcium deposition. RESULTS: Cells were able to adhere, proliferate, and differentiate on globin scaffolds. Moreover, RT-PCR showed that globin may stimulate some key genes of osteoblastic differentiation (Runx2, osteocalcin, Dlx5). Globin had an inhibitory effect on alkaline phosphatase activity. Calcium deposits were seen after 9 days of culture. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that purified human globin might be a suitable scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.

Bone-like tissue formation on a biomimetic titanium surface in an explant model of osteoconduction.

The clinical use of titanium in dental and orthopedic applications is limited. Over recent years, implant surfaces have undergone numerous modifications to enhance bone integration. In this study, we experimented a bioactive titanium using a simple chemical and moderate heat treatment that led to the formation of a bone-like apatite layer on its surface in simulated body fluids. We used a bone explant model to demonstrate that cells can migrate from the explants and subsequently differentiate to form a mineralized nodular structure. Furthermore, these cells expressed alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin and the transcription factor, Runx2. Using this model of osteoconduction, we showed that bioactive titanium bonds directly to bone, while pure titanium cannot. These findings show the importance of implant surface composition in promoting osteogenic cell differentiation and subsequent apposition of the bone matrix, allowing strong bonds to form. This model could be particularly beneficial to closely mimic bone formation adjacent to endosseous implants.

The biomimetics of bone: engineered glass-ceramics a paradigm for in vitro biomineralization studies.

In this study, we investigated the behavior of fetal rat osteoblasts cultured up to 23 days on a bioactive apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramic (AW) and on the same material on which a carbonated apatite layer was formed by a biomimetic process (AWa). The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase activity was about 30% increased on AWa compared to AW disks at the last day of culture. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of the material surfaces after scrapping off the cell layers revealed that mineralized bone nodules remained attached to both surfaces but in larger numbers on AWa. The AWa/bone interfaces were also analyzed after fracturing the disks and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All these results indicated the importance of the surface composition in supporting differentiation of osteogenic cells and the subsequent apposition of bone matrix. Furthermore, prefabrication of a biological apatite layer by a biomimetic method could improve our knowledge of biomineralization processes and could find application as bone-repairing material.