Extracellular matrix alters the relationship between tritiated thymidine incorporation and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells during osteogenesis in vitro

Bone cells in vivo exist in direct contact with extracellular matrix, which regulates their basic biological processes including metabolism, development, growth and differentiation. Thus, the in vitro activity of cells cultured on tissue culture treated plastic could be different from the activity of cells cultured on their natural substrate. We selected MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells to study the effect of extracellular matrix on cell proliferation because these cells undergo a progressive developmental sequence of proliferation and differentiation. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on plastic or plastic coated with ECM, fibronectin, collagen type I, BSA or poly l-lysine and their ability to proliferate was assessed by incorporation of [3H]dT or by enumeration of cells. Our results show that (1) ECM inhibits incorporation of [3H]dT by MC3T3-E1 cells; (2) collagen type I, but not BSA, poly l-lysine or fibronectin also inhibits incorporation of [3H]dT; (3) the level of ECM inhibition of [3H]dT incorporation is directly related to the number of cells cultured, but unrelated to the cell cycle distribution or endogenous thymidine content; (4) the kinetic profile of [3H]dT uptake suggest that ECM inhibits transport of [3H]dT from the extracellular medium, and (5) cell counts are similar in cultures whether cells are grown on plastic or ECM. These results suggest that decreased incorporation of [3H]dT by cells cultured on ECM is not reflective of bone cell proliferation.     

Serial passage of MC3T3-E1 cells alters osteoblastic function and responsiveness to transforming growth factor-beta1 and bone morphogenetic protein-2.

The murine-derived clonal MC3T3-E1 cell is a well-studied osteoblast-like cell line. To understand the effects of serial passages on its cellular function, we examined changes in cell morphology, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), proliferation, and osteoblastic function between early passage (<20) and late passage (>65) cells. MC3T3-E1 cells developed an elongated, spindle shape after multiple passages. Intercellular communication decreased significantly (33%) in late vs. early passage cells. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) stimulated cell proliferation in early passage cells and induced c-fos expression, while it inhibited proliferation in late passage cells. Using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OC) secretion as markers for osteoblastic function and differentiation, we demonstrated that both markers were significantly reduced after multiple cell passages. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) significantly enhanced ALP activity and OC secretion in early passage cells while TGF-beta1 exerted an opposite effect. Both BMP-2 and TGF-beta1 had minimal effects on late passage cells. We conclude that serial passage alters MC3T3-E1 cell morphology, and significantly diminishes GJIC, osteoblastic function, TGF-beta1-mediated cell proliferation, and responsiveness to TGF-beta1 and BMP-2. Cell passage numbers should be clearly defined in functional studies involving MC3T3-E1 cells.     

Involvement of ligand occupancy in Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) induced cell growth in osteoblast like MC3T3-E1 cells

Growth factors and matrix proteins regulate the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system comprises IGF-I, IGF-II, and six high-affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). IGFs stimulate cell growth in many types of tissue; IGF-binding proteins regulate cellular actions and can affect cell growth. IGF-I is involved in differentiation, proliferation, and matrix formation in osteoblasts; IGFBP-5 is associated with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and can potentiate the actions of IGF-I. We investigated the effect of ECM proteins on the responses of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells to IGF-I and IGFBP-5. In addition, because extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk 1/2) affect cell growth, we evaluated the effects of IGFBP-5 on Erk 1/2 phosphorylation in MC3T3-E1 cells. IGF-I caused an increase in IGFBP-5 expression in cultured MC3T3-E1 cells, and IGF-I plus IGFBP-5 significantly increased cell growth. Likewise, the addition of IGF-I and IGFBP-5 to cultured MC3T3-E1 cells increased the synthesis of the ECM proteins osteopontin (OPN) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), which can bind to alphaVbeta3 integrin receptors on the cell surface. By contrast, the addition of an antibody against ECM proteins inhibited the effects of OPN and TSP-1 on IGFBP-5 expression. The stimulatory effect of IGFBP-5 was mediated via Erk 1/2 activation. These data suggest that IGFBP-5 regulates Erk 1/2 phosphorylation in cultured MC3T3-E1 cells via ECM proteins that may ultimately stimulate the growth of osteoblasts. We determined whether occupation of the alphaVbeta3 integrin receptor affects IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR)-mediated signaling and function in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells. Occupation of the alphaVbeta3 integrin receptor with ECM proteins induced IGF-I-stimulated IGF-IR phosphorylation. Conversely, in the presence of the alphaVbeta3-specific disintegrin echistatin, IGF-I-stimulated IGF-IR activation was inhibited. IGF-I-stimulated IGF-IR phosphorylation was accompanied by IRS-1 phosphorylation and MAPK activation. However, these effects were attenuated by echistatin. Thus, occupancy of the alphaVbeta3 disintegrin receptor modulates IGF-I-induced IGF-IR activation and IGF-IR-mediated function in MC 3T3-E1 osteoblasts.     

体外培养所形成的细胞外基质对MC3T3-E1细胞生长和分化的影响

细胞外基对组织细胞起支持、保护、营养作用,对细胞的增殖、分化有重要影响,在细胞和组织工程中,应该充分考虑细胞外基质的作用。本研究首先脱去培养板中融合培养的原代小鼠心肌成纤维细胞和成骨细胞,获得两种体外形成的细胞外基质包被的培养板,其中成骨细胞细胞外基质中含有骨形成蛋白2。然后将MC3T3-E1成骨前体细胞接种在这种培养板中,发现成纤维细胞胞外基质包被的培养板中的细胞增殖活性最高,而成骨细胞胞外基质包被的培养板中细胞的碱性磷酸酶活性、骨形成蛋白2和骨桥蛋白的相对蛋白表达量最高,细胞外钙沉积量比其他组高1倍左右。结果表明：包被在培养板上的这两种细胞外基质有不同的生物活性,成纤维细胞胞外基质可促进成骨前体细胞增殖,成骨细胞胞外基质可促进成骨前体细胞骨向分化。     

Intrinsic mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix affect the behavior of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Mechanical cues present in the ECM have been hypothesized to provide instructive signals that dictate cell behavior. We probed this hypothesis in osteoblastic cells by culturing MC3T3-E1 cells on the surface of type I collagen-modified hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and assessed their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. On gels functionalized with a low type I collagen density, MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on polystyrene proliferated twice as fast as those cultured on the softest substrate. Quantitative time-lapse video microscopic analysis revealed random motility speeds were significantly retarded on the softest substrate (0.25 ± 0.01 µm/min), in contrast to maximum speeds on polystyrene substrates (0.42 ± 0.04 µm/min). On gels functionalized with a high type I collagen density, migration speed exhibited a biphasic dependence on ECM compliance, with maximum speeds (0.34 ± 0.02 µm/min) observed on gels of intermediate stiffness, whereas minimum speeds (0.24 ± 0.03 µm/min) occurred on both the softest and most rigid (i.e., polystyrene) substrates. Immature focal contacts and a poorly organized actin cytoskeleton were observed in cells cultured on the softest substrates, whereas those on more rigid substrates assembled mature focal adhesions and robust actin stress fibers. In parallel, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity (assessed by detecting pY397-FAK) was influenced by compliance, with maximal activity occurring in cells cultured on polystyrene. Finally, mineral deposition by the MC3T3-E1 cells was also affected by ECM compliance, leading to the conclusion that altering ECM mechanical properties may influence a variety of MC3T3-E1 cell functions, and perhaps ultimately, their differentiated phenotype. bone; focal adhesion kinase; mechanotransduction; cytoskeleton; integrins     

Apelin stimulates proliferation and suppresses apoptosis of mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 via JNK and PI3-K/Akt signaling pathways

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of apelin on proliferation and apoptosis of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. APJ was expressed in MC3T3-E1 cells. Apelin did not affect Runx2 expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin and type I collagen secretion, suggesting that it has no effect on osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. However, apelin stimulated MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. Our study also shows that apelin decreased cytochrome c release and caspase-3, capase-8 and caspase-9 activation in serum-deprived MC3T3-E1 cells. Apelin activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase downstream effector), and the JNK inhibitor SP600125, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor LY294002 or the Akt inhibitor 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate (HIMO) inhibited its effects on proliferation and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, apelin protected against apoptosis induced by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone or TNF-alpha. Apelin stimulates proliferation and suppresses serum deprivation-induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells and these actions are mediated via JNK and PI3-K/Akt signaling pathways.     

Investigation of MC3T3-E1 cell behavior on the surface of GRGDS-coupled chitosan

The GRGDS (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) peptide has intermediate affinity to alphaVbeta3 and alphaIIbbeta3, which are the integrins most reported to be involved in bone function. In this study, biomimetic chitosan films modified with GRGDS peptide were prepared and were used as a substrate for the in vitro culture of MC3T3-E1 cells in order to investigate the effect of GRGDS modification on MC3T3-E1 cell behavior. The results of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR-FTIR), and amino acid analysis (AAA) demonstrated that the chitosan films were successfully modified with GRGDS peptides and that the surface density of the immobilized GRGDS was on the order of 10(-9) mol/cm2. The immobilization of the GRGDS sequence on chitosan as well as the peptide concentration play a significant role in MC3T3-E1 cell behavior. MC3T3-E1 cell attachment, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and mineralization were remarkably greater on GRGDS-coupled chitosan than on unmodified chitosan. Besides, the degree of acceleration of these biological processes was found to be dependent on peptide density. Competitive inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cell attachment using soluble GRGDS peptides indicated that the interaction of MC3T3-E1 cells with the surface of the materials was ligand-specific. Cytoskeleton organization in the fully spread MC3T3-E1 cells was highly obvious on GRGDS-coupled chitosan when compared to the lack of actin fibers noted in the round MC3T3-E1 cells on unmodified chitosan. These results suggest that MC3T3-E1 cell function can be modulated, in a peptide density-dependent manner, by the immobilization of GRGDS peptide on chitosan used for scaffold-based bone tissue engineering.     

Suppression of replicative senescence by rapamycin in rodent embryonic cells

The TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway is involved in aging in diverse organisms from yeast to mammals. We have previously demonstrated in human and rodent cells that mTOR converts stress-induced cell cycle arrest to irreversible senescence (geroconversion), whereas rapamycin decelerates or suppresses geroconversion during cell cycle arrest. Here, we investigated whether rapamycin can suppress replicative senescence of rodent cells. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) gradually acquired senescent morphology and ceased proliferation. Rapamycin decreased cellular hypertrophy, and SA-beta-Gal staining otherwise developed by 4-6 passages, but it blocked cell proliferation, masking its effects on replicative lifespan. We determined that rapamycin inhibited pS6 at 100-300 pM and inhibited proliferation with IC50 around 30 pM. At 30 pM, rapamycin partially suppressed senescence. However, the gerosuppressive effect was balanced by the cytostatic effect, making it difficult to suppress senescence without causing quiescence. We also investigated rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs), which exhibited markers of senescence at passage 7, yet were able to slowly proliferate until 12–14 passages. REFs grew in size, acquired a large, flat cell morphology, SA-beta-Gal staining and components of DNA damage response (DDR), in particular, γH2AX/53BP1 foci. Incubation of REFs with rapamycin (from passage 7 to passage 10) allowed REFs to overcome the replicative senescence crisis. Following rapamycin treatment and removal, a fraction of proliferating REFs gradually increased and senescent phenotype disappeared completely by passage 24.     

Functional expression of 5-HT2A receptor in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

In the previous study, we reported the gene expression for proteins related to the function of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) and elucidated the expression patterns of 5-HT₂ receptor subtypes in mouse osteoblasts. In the present study, we evaluated the possible involvement of 5-HT receptor subtypes and its inactivation system in MC3T3-E1 cells, an osteoblast cell line. DOI, a 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptor selective agonist, as well as 5-HT concentration-dependently increased proliferative activities of MC3T3-E1 cells in their premature period. This effect of 5-HT on cell proliferation were inhibited by ketanserin, a 5-HT_2A receptor specific antagonist. Moreover, both DOI-induced cell proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1 and 2 proteins were inhibited by PD98059 and U0126, selective inhibitors of MEK in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment with fluoxetine, a 5-HT specific re-uptake inhibitor which inactivate the function of extracellular 5-HT, significantly increased the proliferative activities of MC3T3-E1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Our data indicate that 5-HT fill the role for proliferation of osteoblast cells in their premature period. Notably, 5-HT_2A receptor may be functionally expressed to regulate mechanisms underlying osteoblast cell proliferation, at least in part, through activation of ERK/MAPK pathways in MC3T3-E1 cells.     

IGF-I and MAP kinase involvement in the stimulatory effects of LNCaP prostate cancer cell conditioned media on cell proliferation and protein synthesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

Bone metastases from prostate cancer cause abnormal new bone formation, however, the factors involved and the pathways leading to the response are incompletely defined. We investigated the mechanisms of osteoblast stimulatory effects of LNCaP prostate carcinoma cell conditioned media (CM). MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were cultured with CM from confluent LNCaP cells. LNCaP CM stimulated MAP kinase, cell proliferation (3H-thymidine incorporation), and protein synthesis (14C-proline incorporation) in the MC3T3-E1 cells. The increases in cell proliferation and protein synthesis were prevented by inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway. IGF-I mimicked the effects of the CM on the MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibition of IGF-I action decreased the LNCaP CM stimulation of 3H-thymidine and 14C-proline incorporation and MAP kinase activity. The findings indicate that IGF-I is an important factor for the stimulatory effects of LNCaP cell CM on cell proliferation and protein synthesis in osteoblastic cells, and that MAP kinase is a component of the signaling pathway for these effects.     

Soybean ethanol extract increases the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

To investigate the bioactivities of soybean, which act on bone metabolism, we studied the effect of a soybean ethanol extract on the activity of osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Soy extract (0.01-0.1 g/l) dose-dependently increased survival (P<0.05) and DNA synthesis (P<0.05) of MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, soy extract (0.05 g/l) increased alkaline phosphatase activity (P<0.05) and collagen synthesis (P<0.05) of MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, the anti-estrogen tamoxifen eliminated the stimulation of MC3T3-E1 cells on the proliferation, ALP activity and collagen synthesis by soy extract, indicating that the main action of the soy extract on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells is similar to that of estrogen effects. Treatment with soy extract prevented apoptosis, as assessed by a one-step sandwich immunoassay and DNA gel electrophoresis studies. This effect may be associated with the activation of the estrogen receptor, since we observed soy extract-mediated survival against apoptosis was blocked by the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen in cells, further supporting a receptor-mediated mechanism of cell survival. These results suggest that osteoblast function is promoted by soy extract and that the estrogen receptor is involved in the response, thereby playing an important role in bone remodeling. In conclusion, soy extract has a direct stimulatory effect on bone formation in cultured osteoblastic cell in vitro. Presumably, dietary soy products are useful in the prevention of osteoporosis.     

Simultaneous Administration of Fluoride and Selenite Regulates Proliferation and Apoptosis in Murine Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 Cells by Altering Osteoprotegerin

The receptor activator nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG), are important for maintaining the balance between bone formation and resorption. However, the regulation of microelements on these factors remains unclear. In this study, we used murine osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells to examine the impact of sodium fluoride (NaF) and/or sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on the OPG/RANKL system. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with OPG or RANKL siRNA (or left untreated), and subsequently divided into a control group and five experimental groups, which were exposed to different concentrations of NaF and/or Na2SeO3, and subsequently analysed at 24?h. In particular, we examined cell viability, OPG and RANKL mRNA and protein expression, caspase-3 activity, and the cell cycle of the various cell groups. In summary, our findings suggest that the administration of NaF and/or Na2SeO3 affects the expression of OPG in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, thereby contributing to the proliferation and apoptosis induced by the OPG.     

Glucocorticoid receptor and sequential P53 activation by dexamethasone mediates apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Glucocorticoids play a pivotal role in the proliferation of osteoblasts, but the underlying mechanism has not been successfully elucidated. In this report, we have investigated the molecular mechanism which elucidates the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. It was found that the inhibitory effects were largely attributed to apoptosis and G1 phase arrest. Both the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were dependent on glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as they were abolished by GR blocker RU486 pre-treatment and GR interference. G1 phase arrest and apoptosis were accompanied with a p53-dependent up-regulation of p21 and pro-apoptotic genes NOXA and PUMA. We also proved that dexamethasone can't induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest when p53 was inhibited by p53 RNA interference. These data demonstrate that proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cell was significantly and directly inhibited by dexamethasone treatment via aberrant GR activation and subsequently P53 activation.     

甲状旁腺激素对成骨细胞中ClC-3 氯通道表达及成骨分化影响的研究

目的:观察甲状旁腺激素(PTH)对成骨细胞中Cl C-3氯通道表达及成骨分化影响,初步探索Cl C-3介导PTH在细胞成骨分化中的作用。方法:采用10-8M、10-9M、10-10M PTH持续刺激和间断刺激MC3T3-E1细胞72 h后,通过CCK-8试剂盒法检测MC3T3-E1细胞的增殖情况,Real-Time PCR法检测MC3T3-E1细胞中Clcn3及成骨相关基因Alp、Runx2的表达情况,免疫荧光法检测10-9M PTH不同给药方式下对Cl C-3蛋白表达的影响。结果 :经不同浓度PTH连续和间断处理72 h后,结果显示10-9 M PTH间断刺激的MC3T3-E1细胞的增殖能力最强,且其Alp、Runx2 m RNA表达均高于10-8 M组和10-10 M组(P<0.05),而相同浓度间断刺激的MC3T3-E1细胞成骨相关基因的表达均高于持续刺激组,以10-9M间断刺激组差异最显著(P<0.05),而10-8 M和10-10M均无统计学差异(P>0.05),10-9 M PTH刺激的MC3T3-E1细胞中Cl C-3蛋白表达也显著增加(P<0.05)。结论 :成骨细胞的Cl C-3氯通道能够响应PTH的刺激发生变化,并伴随着成骨相关基因Alp、Runx2表达的增强。     

Effects of conditioned medium factors and passage number on Sf9 cell physiology and productivity

The effects of conditioned medium (CM) and passage number on Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cell physiology and productivity have been studied. Low passage (LP) cells at passages 20-45 were compared to high passage (HP) cells at passages >100. Addition of 20% CM or 10 kDa filtrated CM to LP cells promoted growth. LP cells passed a switch in growth kinetics, characterized by a shorter lag phase and a higher growth rate, after 30-40 passages. After this point, CM lost its stimulating effect on proliferation. HP cells displayed a still shorter lag phase and reached the maximum cell density 24-48 earlier than LP cells. HP cells also exhibited higher specific productivity of recombinant protein compared to LP cells, when infected with baculovirus during the initial 48 h of culture. The specific productivity of LP cells was decreased by 30-50% by addition of 20% CM or 10 kDa filtrated CM, whereas addition of CM to cells having passed the switch in growth kinetics had no negative effect on productivity. Cell cycle analysis showed that a large proportion of HP cells, >60%, was transiently arrested in G2/M after inoculation. In LP cultures this proportion was lower, 40-45%, and addition of CM decreased the arrested population further. This correlated to the cell size, the HP cells being the largest: HP cells > LP > LP + 20% CM > LP + 20% 10 kDa filtrated CM. Since the degree of synchronization in G2/M correlated to the productivity, yeastolate limitation was used to achieve 85% G2/M synchronized cells. In this culture the specific productivity was maintained during a prolonged production phase and a 69% higher volumetric yield was obtained. The results suggest that a decreasing degree of synchronization during the course of culture partly explains the cell-density-dependent drop in productivity in Sf9 cells.     

Impact of heparin-binding domain of recombinant human osteocalcin-fibronectinIII9-14 on the osteoblastic cell response

Fibronectin (FN) containing a heparin-binding domain (HBD) and an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) domain can promote cell adhesion and proliferation compared to FN that contained only RGD. Here, we have engineered recombinant human osteocalcin (rhOC) with FN type III9-14 (rhOC-FNIII9-14) containing RGD and HBD to promote the cellular activity of MC3T3-E1 cells, including adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. RhOC-FNIII9-14 significantly increased cell adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells compared to rhOC-FNIII9-10 (P < 0.05). Moreover, rhOC-FNIII9-14 showed osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in mineralization activity and osteogenic gene expression.     

The Effects of Ce on the Proliferation, Osteogenic Differentiation and Mineralization Function of MC3T3-E1 Cells In Vitro

The effects of Ce on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function of a murine preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 in vitro were investigated at cell and molecular levels. The results showed that Ce promoted the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function of MC3T3-E1 cells at concentrations of 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1???M, but turned to inhibit the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function at concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000???M. Ce displayed the up-regulation of Runx2, BMP2, ALP, BSP, Col I and OCN genes at concentrations of 0.0001 and 0.1???M; these genes were down-regulated in the MC3T3-E1 cells treated with 1000???M Ce. The expression of BMP2, Runx2 and OCN proteins was promoted by Ce at concentrations of 0.0001 and 0.1???M, but these proteins were down-regulated after 1000???M Ce treatment. The results suggest that Ce likely up-regulates or down-regulates the expression of Runx2, which subsequently up- or down-regulates OB marker genes Col I and BMP2 at early stages and ALP and OCN at later stages of differentiation, thus causing to promote or inhibit the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization function of MC3T3-E1 cells.     

DEMONSTRATION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE PARTICIPATION IN THE MINERALIZATION OF OSTEOBLASTS BY ANTISENSE RNA APPROACH

MC3T3-E1 cells grown with ascorbic acid express sequentially osteoblastic marker proteins such as alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) and then form a mineralized extracellular matrix (ECM) as a consequence of osteoblastic differentiation. To explore the functional roles of ALPase in the process of osteoblastic maturation, an inducible expression vector for antisense ALPase RNA was constructed and stably transfected into MC3T3-E1 cells. The expression of antisense ALPase RNA in the differentiated MC3T3-E1 transfectants reduced markedly the ALPase activity, which resulted in a significant decrease in the deposition of minerals upon prolonged culture. These findings demonstrated directly that ALPase participated in the mineralizationof ECM.     

The regulation of osteogenesis by ECM rigidity in MC3T3-E1 cells requires MAPK activation

Once thought to provide only structural support to tissues by acting as a scaffold to which cells bind, it is now widely recognized that the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides instructive signals that dictate cell behavior. Recently we demonstrated that mechanical cues intrinsic to the ECM directly regulate the behavior of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. We hypothesized that one possible mechanism by which ECM compliance exerts its influence on osteogenesis is by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. To address this hypothesis, the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based model substrates with tunable mechanical properties was assessed. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels at days 7 and 14 were found to be significantly higher in cells grown on stiffer substrates (423.9 kPa hydrogels and rigid tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) control) than on a soft hydrogel (13.7 kPa). Osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene expression levels followed a similar trend. In parallel, MAPK activity was significantly higher in cells cultured on stiffer substrates at both time points. Inhibiting this activation pharmacologically, using PD98059, resulted in significantly lower ALP levels, OCN, and BSP gene expression levels on the hydrogels. Interestingly, the effectiveness of PD98059 was itself dependent on substrate stiffness, with marked inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation in cells grown on compliant hydrogels but insignificant reduction in cells grown on TCPS. Together, these data confirm a role for MAPK in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation by ECM compliance.