Regulatory role of B-cell maturation antigen on the toxic effect of chromium ions on human SaOS-2 osteoblasts.

ABSTRACT

Metal prostheses of artificial joints undergo wear, producing numerous metal particles and ions, such as Cr3+ . Cr3+ is considered a key factor leading to aseptic loosening. Many studies focus on the effect of Cr3+ on osteoblasts; however, little is known about the effect of Cr3+ on the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) in the osteoblasts. In this study, we first demonstrated the BCMA expressed in human SaOS-2 osteoblasts through reverse transcriptase-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemical analyses. Cr3+ decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), cell mineralization, and collagen type I mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, Cr3+ has an inhibitive effect on the expression of the BCMA in human SaOS-2 osteoblasts. However, after we upregulated the expression of the BCMA, ALP, OC, cell mineralization, and collagen type I mRNA and protein expression were increased. Overall, this study demonstrates that the BCMA is involved in human SaOS-2 osteoblast osteogenetic metabolism and plays a regulatory role on the toxic effect of chromium ions on human SaOS-2 osteoblasts.