Abstract
Osteoporotic effects observed after osteoporosis induction in the rat by combining ovariectomy (OVX) either with a defined calcium-deficient diet (OVX + Diet) or by administration of a glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) (OVX + Steroid) mimic the skeletal effects observed in humans affected by osteoporosis. In the present investigation rat MSCs have been characterized in vitro after osteoporosis has been induced for twelve weeks in rats by means of OVX + Diet (n=5) and OVX + Steroid (n=5). Sham-operated animals (n=5) served as controls. MSCs were harvested from humerus and iliac crest and were cultured in standard medium and in osteogenic differentiation medium for studying the proliferation, migration, and differentiation capacity of the cells. Expression of CD90, CD105, runx2, osteocalcin (OC), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) was performed by using qrtPCR. Calcium deposits developed in the course of osteogenic differentiation were measured by using Pentra 400 Axon Lab. Taken together, the present results showed that osteoporosis induction leads to MSC in a state of senescence: proliferation and migration rates of the cells were diminished pointing to self-renewal deficiency and impaired motility of rat MSC in contrast to controls. However, the osteogenic differentiation capacity was increased after osteoporosis induction with OVX + Diet and OVX + Steroid.
Highlights
By definition of the Consensus Development Conference osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk (European foundation for osteoporosis 1991)
Osteoporotic effects observed after osteoporosis induction in the rat by combining ovariectomy (OVX) either with a defined calcium-deficient diet (OVX + Diet) or by administration of a glucocorticoid (OVX + Steroid) mimic the skeletal effects observed in humans affected by osteoporosis
Cultivating the cells in the primary culture we first observed that the cells of the ovariectomized rats tended to have slower growth characteristics and had a slightly different morphology compared to the cells of the control group
Summary
By definition of the Consensus Development Conference osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk (European foundation for osteoporosis 1991). As this disease is restricted to humans [1], there is a great need for animal models in order to validate new therapeutic approaches such as drugs or prosthetic devices. MSCs are multipotential precursor cells that can differentiate into various cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes [5] Due to this differentiation potential combined with their nonimmunogenic characteristics, MSCs are promising therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine
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