Добірка наукової літератури з теми "Mature Osteoblasts"

Osteoblast-osteoclast coordination is critical in the maintenance of skeletal integrity. The modulation of osteoclastogenesis by immature cells of the osteoblastic lineage is mediated through receptor activator of NF kappa B (RANK), its ligand RANKL, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), a natural decoy receptor for RANKL. Here, the expression of OPG and RANKL in primary mouse osteoblastic cultures was investigated to determine whether the osteoclastogenic stimulus depended on the stage of osteoblastic differentiation and the presence of the calciotrophic hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)). OPG mRNA expression was increased in osteoblastic cultures after the onset of mineralisation relative to less mature cultures, but did not alter in response to 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment. In contrast, basal RANK L mRNA expression did not change during differentiation but was significantly enhanced by 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment at all times. The stimulatory effects of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) on RANKL were lessened in more mature cultures, however. The RANKL/OPG ratio, an index of osteoclastogenic stimulus, was therefore increased by 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment at all stages of osteoblastic differentiation, but to a lesser degree in cultures after the onset of mineralisation. Thus the 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-driven increase in osteoclastogenic potential of immature osteoblasts appears to be mediated by increased RANKL mRNA expression, with mature osteoblasts having relatively decreased osteoclastogenic activity due to increased OPG mRNA expression. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the recently proposed negative regulatory role of mature osteoblasts on osteoclastogenesis and indicate that the relative proportions of immature and mature osteoblasts in the local microenvironment may control the degree of resorption at each specific bone site.

Limited information is available on the role of MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP1) signaling in osteoblasts. We have recently reported distinct roles for MKP1 during osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and skeletal responsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH). As MKP1 regulates the phosphorylation status of MAPKs, we investigated the involvement of P-ERK and P-p38 MAPKs in MKP1 knockout (KO) early and mature osteoblasts with respect to mineralization and PTH response. Calvarial osteoblasts from 9–14-week-old WT and MKP1 KO male and female mice were examined. Western blot analysis revealed downregulation and sustained expressions of P-ERK and P-p38 with PTH treatment in differentiated osteoblasts derived from KO males and females respectively. Exposure of early osteoblasts to p38 inhibitor, SB203580 (S), markedly inhibited mineralization in WT and KO osteoblasts from both genders as determined by von Kossa assay. In osteoblasts from males, ERK inhibitor U0126 (U), not p38 inhibitor (S), prevented the inhibitory effects of PTH on mineralization in early or mature osteoblasts. In osteoblasts from KO females, PTH sustained mineralization in early osteoblasts and decreased mineralization in mature cells. This effect of PTH was attenuated by S in early osteoblasts and by U in mature KO cells. Changes in matrix Gla protein expression with PTH in KO osteoblasts did not correlate with mineralization, indicative of MKP1-dependent additional mechanisms essential for PTH action on osteoblast mineralization. We conclude that PTH regulation of osteoblast mineralization in female mice is maturation stage specific and involves MKP1 modulation of P-ERK and P-p38 MAPKs.

The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment (TME) is a complex mix of cellular and non-cellular components that has a profound effect on hematopoiesis and hematological malignancies. Multiple myeloma (MM), a tumor of plasma cells that originates in the BM is highly influenced by TME components including stromal cells, osteoclasts, and immune cells. Among these cells, osteoblasts are the most versatile regulators of hematopoiesis and also play an integral role in malignant transformations of leukemia and lung cancer. MM is characterized by osteolytic bone lesions partly due to decreased numbers of osteoblasts. Therapies such as denosumab and zoledronic acid aim to restore bone health by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. However, the contribution of osteoblasts to the initiation and progression of MM is not well understood. We previously demonstrated that increased osteoblast numbers using Activin A inhibition in an in vivo humanized myeloma model resulted in inhibition of MM growth (Vallet et al., 2010). Given that osteoblast numbers are on the decline in a typical MM patient, we hypothesized that the loss of osteoblasts contributes to the initiation and progression of MM. To assess the effects of osteoblasts on MM cells, MC3T3 murine pre-osteoblasts were differentiated into mature osteoblasts by supplementing media with ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate. Co-culture of 5TGM1 murine MM cells with the osteoblasts showed a significant decrease in the proliferation of MM cells by 40% (N=4). Osteoblasts go through distinct stages of maturation i.e., pre-osteoblasts, committed osteoblasts, and mature osteoblasts. These individual osteoblast populations were FACS sorted from mice to isolate pre-osteoblasts from the long bones of Osterix-GFP+ (Osx+) mice, committed osteoblasts from Collagen 2.3-GFP+ (Col2.3+) mice, and mature osteoblasts from Osteocalcin-YFP+ (OCN+) mice. Each of the osteoblast populations was co-cultured with 5TGM1 MM cells. Although all the osteoblast populationssignificantly suppressed MM proliferation, the OCN+ mature osteoblasts suppressed MM proliferation the most (N=3). Therefore, we focused our studies on the role of mature osteoblasts in MM progression. We generated mice in which mature osteoblasts could be postnatally deleted in an inducible and reversible manner. To achieve this, mice carrying floxed diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) alleles were mated with mice expressing Cre-recombinase driven by the osteocalcin promoter (OC-Cre) to generate OC-Cre/iDTR mice. The control mice were littermates lacking the OC-Cre allele. The OC-Cre/iDTR mice were indistinguishable from the controls until treated with diphtheria toxin (DT). To induce postnatal deletion of mature osteoblasts, the OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice both were treatedwith 50 µg/Kg DT once a week beginning at 8-weeks of age. To study MM engraftment and progression, 3x1065TGM1-Luciferase MM cells were injected into the tibia of OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice followed by weeklyinjection of DT for 8-weeks. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) showed that 4-weeks onwards the OC-iDTR mice, but not the control mice, continued to express and increase the BLI signal (N=6). This data suggeststhatunder physiological conditions, mature osteoblasts activelysuppress MM engraftment and progression. We hypothesized that osteoblasts provide niche support to MM cells via direct cell-to-cell contact. To begin to identify the molecular mechanisms, we compared gene expression changes in primary murine osteoblasts between the undifferentiated and 30-day osteogenic differentiation time points. We also examined the BM TME by quantitative protein antibody arrays at 2-weeks following 5TGM1MM intratibial injection into OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice. The mature osteoblasts showed a significant increase in the expression of integrins, including integrin α4, and several immunomodulatory markers. The cytokine array analysis showed altered expressions of cell-cell communication proteins MAdCAM1, BAFF-R, TACI, and immunomodulatory factors IL-33, IL-17F, and IL-13. Taken together, using in vivo and in vitro models, we show that mature osteoblasts may have a negative regulatory impact on MM cells through cell-cell communication or immunomodulatory mechanisms. Expanding the osteoblast niche may provide novel therapeutic avenues to reduce disease burden and create an environment for long term tumor control. Disclosures Raje: Merck: Consultancy; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy.

Abstract The self-renewal, survival and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are greatly influenced by the activities of neighboring osteoblasts and non-osteogenic bone marrow (BM) stromal cells such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells and adipocytes. Previously, we showed that osteoblasts from human long bones support the in vitro self-renewal as well as myeloid differentiation of human CD34+ cord blood cells. Recently, Li’s and Scadden’s groups provided in vivo evidence indicating a primary role of trabecular osteoblasts as a major component of HSC niche and of stromal osteoblastic cells in facilitating the self-renewal of HSCs. We have now asked whether osteoblasts contribute to early lymphopoiesis as well as myelopoiesis, by measuring the cellular outpout of purified HSCs on isolated osteoblasts alone, or with added non-osteoblast stromal cytokines as well. We prepared mature osteoblasts, as monitored and confirmed by homogeneous OPN and CD61 expression, by pretreating osteoblastic cells isolated from neonatal calvaria of C57BL/6 mice (CD45.2) with 1X10−7 M PTH. Purified OB were then co-cultured for 6 days with Lin− BM cells (CD45.1+) isolated from congenic B6 mice(CD45.1) and labeled with CFSE. Osteoblast coculture stimulated the proliferation of Lin− CD45.1+ BM cells 50-fold during culture, with most cells (87%) remaining tightly adherent to the osteoblast monolayer; no live cells were recovered from Lin− BM cell culture without osteoblasts. In addition to mature granulocytes/monocytes, a substantial amount of CD45.1+B220+ B lymphocytes (about 10% of small size cells gated by forward and side scatter), were detected. In contrast, very few CD45.1+Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells or CD45.1+Lin−Sca-1−c-Kit+ (CMP) cells were detected under these conditions. Most B220+ cells attached to osteoblasts were found to be CD43+CD24+ pre-B cells undergoing division. In contrast to the cells recovered attached to the osteoblasts, the pre-B lymphocytes found in suspension were more mature with phenotype of B220+CD43−CD24+. Prevention of direct contact of Lin− BM cells with osteoblasts by Transwell co-culture abrogated the production of pre-B cells in both adherent and suspension compartments, indicating that physical contact is required for the interaction. Interestingly, when 20ng/ml of SCF, 6ng/ml of IL-3, 10ng/ml of IL-6 and 25ng/ml TPO were added to osteoblast/Lin− cell co-culture, B lymphpoiesis was repressed, while the production of CD45.1+LSK HSCs and CMPs was significantly enhanced. These data demonstrate a direct role of osteoblasts in inducing and supporting the early development of B lymphocytes from HSCs or/and common lymphoid progenitors. Additional cytokines, perhaps provided in specific in vivo niches by non-osteogenic stromal cells, cooperate with the stimulatory signals from osteoblasts to promote the survival and expansion of HSCs. Taken together, these results suggest that osteoblasts may be the mammalian analog of the avian Bursa of Fabricius, and that their local degree of proximity to non-osteogenic stromal cells may define specific microniches for stem cell survival, myelopoiesis and/or B lymphopoiesis.

The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib may increase osteoblast-related markers in multiple myeloma (MM) patients; however, its potential osteoblastic stimulatory effect is not known. In this study, we show that bortezomib significantly induced a stimulatory effect on osteoblast markers in human mesenchymal cells without affecting the number of osteoblast progenitors in bone marrow cultures or the viability of mature osteoblasts. Consistently we found that bortezomib significantly increased the transcription factor Runx2/Cbfa1 activity in human osteoblast progenitors and osteoblasts without affecting nuclear and cytoplasmatic active β-catenin levels. Consequently a stimulatory effect of bortezomib on bone nodule formation was also demonstrated in osteoblast progenitors. These in vitro observations were confirmed in vivo by the finding of a significant increase in the number of osteoblastic cells × mm2 of bone tissue and in the number of Runx2/Cbfa1-positive osteoblastic cells that was observed in MM patients who responded to bortezomib. Our in vitro and in vivo observations support the hypothesis that a direct stimulatory effect on bone formation process could occur during bortezomib treatment.

Osteoblasts are the skeletal cells responsible for synthesis, deposition and mineralization of the extracellular matrix of bone. By mechanisms that are only beginning to be understood, stem and primitive osteoprogenitors and related mesenchymal precursors arise in the embryo and at least some appear to persist in the adult organism, where they contribute to replacement of osteoblasts in bone turnover and in fracture healing. In this review, we describe the morphological, molecular, and biochemical criteria by which osteoblasts are defined and cell culture approaches that have helped to clarify transitional stages in osteoblast differentiation. Current understanding of differential expression of osteoblast-associated genes during osteoprogenitor proliferation and differentiation to mature matrix synthesizing osteoblasts is summarized. Evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that the mature osteoblast phenotype is heterogeneous with subpopulations of osteoblasts expressing only subsets of the known osteoblast markers. Throughout this paper, outstanding uncertainties and areas for future investigation are also identified.Key words: skeletal development, differential gene expression, heterogeneity.

The initiation of Multiple myeloma (MM) coincides with a decrease in osteoblasts and an increase in osteoclasts and adipocytes. However, the contribution of osteoblasts to the initiation and progression of MM remains mostly unknown. In-vitro studies have shown that co-cultures with MC3T3 murine osteoblast cell-line induced quiescence in 5TGM1 murine myeloma cells. In SCID or C57BL/KaLwRijHsd mice, the fluorescently labeled MM cell lines, injected through tail-vein, co-localized with endosteal osteoblasts and were found to be quiescent. We previously demonstrated that increased osteoblast numbers using Activin A inhibition in SCID mice with human-origin MM.1S cells resulted in inhibition of MM growth (Vallet et al., PNAS 2010). Here we aimed to develop a genetic in-vivo model for a better understanding of the interactions between osteoblasts and MM cells. Osteolineage cells develop through the stages of pre-osteoblasts, committed osteoblasts, mature osteoblasts, and osteocytes; each stage governed by a distinct molecular signature and function. To delineate these differences, individual osteoblast populations were FACS-sorted from long bones of Osterix-GFP+ (Osx+) mice (pre-osteoblasts), Collagen 2.3-GFP+ (Col2.3+) mice (committed osteoblasts), and Osteocalcin-YFP+ (OCN+) mice (mature osteoblasts). Co-cultured of these osteoblast populations with 5TGM1 MM cells showed that the OCN+ mature osteoblasts suppressed MM proliferation the most. Therefore, we focused our studies on the role of mature osteoblasts in MM homing and engraftment. We next generated mice in which mature osteoblasts were postnatally deleted in an inducible and reversible manner to better understand the molecular mechanisms of engraftment, proliferation, and migration of 5TGM1 injected intra-tibialy. To achieve this, mice carrying floxed diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) alleles were mated with mice expressing Cre-recombinase driven by the osteocalcin promoter (OC-Cre). This led to the expression of DTR in mature osteoblasts (OC-Cre/iDTR) only. The control mice were littermates lacking the OC-Cre allele (iDTR). The OC-Cre/iDTR mice were indistinguishable from the controls until treated with diphtheria toxin (DT). We chose to induce mature osteoblast-deficiency at 8-weeks to allow skeletal maturation which is assumed to be completed by 6-7weeks of age. To induce postnatal deletion of mature osteoblasts, the OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice both were treated with 50 µg/Kg DT once a week, beginning at 8-weeks of age. Micro-CT analysis showed a significant increase in cortical porosity within 1-week after DT injection. 8-weeks of DT treatment significantly reduced trabecular bone fraction (BV/TV), trabecular numbers (Tb.N), and bone mineral density (BMD) with a significant increase in trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp). Immunohistochemistry for osteocalcin showed rapid loss of mature and endosteal osteoblasts (N.Ob/T.Ar). This was accompanied with a marked decreased in serum sclerostin and serum osteocalcin levels suggesting reduced osteocytes and mature osteoblasts, respectively. Importantly, serum CTX levels or numbers of osteoclasts (N.Oc/T.Ar) were unchanged. To study MM engraftment and progression, 3x106 5TGM1 luciferase eGFP positive (5TGM1-Luc-GFP) MM cells were injected into the tibia of OC-Cre/iDTR and control iDTR mice followed by weekly injection of DT for 8-weeks. Flow cytometry analysis showed a 4-fold increase in the 5TGM1-GFP cells in the BM from OC-Cre/iDTR mice compared to controls. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) for 5TGM1-Luc-GFP cells at 4-weeks showed 600-fold increase in the OC-Cre/iDTR mice compared to controls. Interestingly, by 8-weeks, the BLI imaging showed 5TGM1-Luc-GFP cells in other long-bones of OC-Cre/iDTR mice but not the controls. These data show that MM cells engraft and proliferate rapidly in the absence of mature osteoblasts in-vivo. Moreover, in the absence of mature osteoblasts, MM cells have a propensity to migrate to other long bones. These data further suggest that expanding the mature osteoblast niche may provide novel therapeutic avenues and reduce disease burden and create an environment for long term tumor control. Importantly, this model will allow us to follow and analyze the sequential engraftment, dormancy, reactivation, proliferation, and migration of myeloma cells, and evaluate the effects of osteoanabolic and anti-myeloma therapies. Disclosures Fulzele: FORMA Therapeutics, Inc: Current Employment, Other: Shareholder of Forma Therapeutics. Raje:BMS: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Astrazeneca: Consultancy; Bluebird, Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Immuneel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caribou: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy.

Biofabrication and maturation of bone constructs is a long-term task that requires a high degree of specialization. This specialization falls onto the hierarchy complexity of the bone tissue that limits the transfer of this technology to the clinic. This work studied the effects of the short-term cryopreservation on biofabricated osteoblast-containing structures, with the final aim to make them steadily available in biobanks. The biological responses studied include the osteoblast post-thawing metabolic activity and the recovery of the osteoblastic function of 3D-bioprinted osteoblastic structures and beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds infiltrated with osteoblasts encapsulated in a hydrogel. The obtained structures were cryopreserved at −80 °C for 7 days using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant additive. After thawing the structures were cultured up to 14 days. The results revealed fundamental biological aspects for the successful cryopreservation of osteoblast constructs. In summary, immature osteoblasts take longer to recover than mature osteoblasts. The pre-cryopreservation culture period had an important effect on the metabolic activity and function maintain, faster recovering normal values when cryopreserved after longer-term culture (7 days). The use of β-TCP scaffolds further improved the osteoblast survival after cryopreservation, resulting in similar levels of alkaline phosphatase activity in comparison with the non-preserved structures. These results contribute to the understanding of the biology of cryopreserved osteoblast constructs, approaching biofabrication to the clinical practice.

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM), a tumor of B-lymphocyte lineage cells, originates in the bone marrow (BM) and is highly influenced by the BM tumor microenvironment (TME). Among cells of the TME, osteoblasts are the most versatile regulators of many hematopoietic lineage cells through either direct cell-cell communication or secreted factors. Specifically relevant to MM, G-protein coupled receptor signaling in pre-osteoblasts is essential for the differentiation, maturation, and egress of B-cells (Panaroni et al., 2015). Despite these key roles, the contribution of osteoblasts to the initiation and progression of MM is not well understood. MM is characterized by osteolytic bone lesions partly due to decreased numbers of osteoblasts. Here, we hypothesize that osteoblasts provide niche support to maintain myeloma cells in a quiescent stage and that the loss of the osteoblastic niche leads to the progression of MM. As a proof of concept, we previously showed that increasing osteoblastogenesis by inhibiting Activin A led to inhibition of MM growth in an in vivo humanized myeloma model (Vallet et al., 2010). We generated mice in which mature osteoblasts could be postnatally deleted in an inducible and reversible manner. Diphtheria toxin receptor floxed mice were mated with mice expressing Cre-recombinase driven by the osteocalcin promoter to generate OC-Cre/iDTR mice. Littermates heterozygous for DTR but lacking the OC-Cre expression were used as controls. The OC-Cre/iDTR mice were indistinguishable from the controls until treated with diphtheria toxin (DT). To induce postnatal deletion of mature osteoblasts, the OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice both were treated with 50 µg/Kg DT beginning at 8-weeks of age. Osteocalcin immunohistochemistry of trabecular bone showed that the DT treated OC-Cre/iDTR mice were completely devoid of endosteal osteoblasts and young osteocytes. Consequently, serum levels of sclerostin were also significantly reduced in OC-Cre/iDTR mice compared to the controls. To study MM engraftment and progression, 3x106 5TGM1-Luciferase MM cells were inject into tibia of OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice followed by a weekly injection of DT for 8-weeks. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was used to assess tumor progression. Both the control and OC-Cre/iDTR mice started with similar BLI signal at 1-week. Interestingly, 4-weeks onwards only the OC-iDTR mice continued to express and increase the BLI signal indicating that the MM cells engrafted and continued to proliferate only in the OC-Cre/iDTR mice. This data suggests that under physiological conditions mature osteoblasts actively suppress MM engraftment and progression. To determine the direct effects of osteoblasts on MM cells, we established co-cultures of osteoblasts with MM cells. FACS sorting was used to isolate pre-osteoblasts from the long bones of Osterix-GFP+ (Osx+) mice, committed osteoblasts from Collagen 2.3-GFP+ (Col2.3+) mice, and mature osteoblasts from Osteocalcin-YFP+ (OCN+) mice. 5TGM1 MM cells were co-cultured along with 10,000 cells from each of the osteoblast populations. Although all three populations of osteoblasts significantly suppressed MM proliferation, the OCN+ mature osteoblasts suppressed MM proliferation the most. The mature osteoblastic niche may regulate MM cells via a) direct cell-to-cell contact, b) secreted factors, and/or c) other intermediary cells. To identify these possibilities, the BM TME was examined at 2-weeks following the 5TGM1 intratibia injection into the OC-Cre/iDTR and control mice. Quantitative protein antibody arrays analysis on the BM supernatant identified numerous key factors involved in cell-cell communication and immunomodulation in MM. These factors included BAFF-R, TACI, IL-33, IL-3, IL-21, and IL-17F. Gene expression analysis of the sorted 5TGM1 cells from the injected tibia indicated increased expression of genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism. Taken together, using in vivo and in vitro models, we show that mature osteoblasts offer specialized niches for MM cells where tumor cells are maintained in quiescence. The loss of the niche support allows the reactivation and progression of MM through the loss of cell-cell communication or through activation of immunomodulatory intermediary cells. Normalizing osteoblasts, such as through Activin A treatment, could provide novel avenues to reduce disease burden and long term tumor control. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Lysyl oxidase plays a critical role in the formation of the extracellular matrix, and its activity is required for the normal maturation and cross-linking of collagen and elastin. An 18-kDa lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOPP) is generated from 50-kDa prolysyl oxidase by extracellular proteolytic cleavage during the biosynthesis of active 30-kDa lysyl oxidase enzyme. The fate and the functions of the LOPP are largely unknown, although intact LOPP was previously observed in osteoblast cultures. We investigated the spatial localization of molecular forms of lysyl oxidase, including LOPP in proliferating and differentiating osteoblasts, by using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blots of cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts. In the present study, a stage-dependent intracellular distribution of LOPP in the osteoblastic cell was observed. In proliferating osteoblasts, LOPP epitopes were principally associated with the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, and mature lysyl oxidase epitopes were found principally in the nucleus and perinuclear region. In differentiating cells, LOPP and mature lysyl oxidase immunostaining showed clear colocalization with the microtubule network. The subcellular distribution of LOPP and its temporal and physical association with microtubules were confirmed by Western blot and far Western blot studies. We also report that N-glycosylated and nonglycosylated LOPP are present in MC3T3-E1 cell cultures. We conclude that LOPP has a stage-dependent intracellular distribution in osteoblastic cells. Future studies are needed to investigate whether the LOPP associations with microtubules or the osteoblast nucleus have functional effects for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.

Vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. However, direct activity of vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) in bone cells has not been fully understood. Vitamin D receptor activities in bone cells are modulated by the dietary calcium in endocrine and bone paracrine/autocrine pathways in various studies. However, confirmation of direct VDR activities in bone cells in conjunction with calcium interactions on genetically modified animals has not been previously evaluated. Studies in these settings will assist our understanding of Vitamin D activities and VDR physiology in bone cells to modulate bone structures. In chapter 3, a study on the generation and characterisation of transgenic over-expression of VDR in mature osteoblast using the osteocalcin promoter in C57bl6/J background (ObVDR-B6) was conducted. Results of this chapter confirm the anabolic action of this transgene and demonstrate that the VDR activity in mature osteoblasts exerts gender-specific and anatomical specific activities. In chapter 4, the ObVDR-B6 mouse line was subjected to normal dietary calcium and phosphate intakes and extremely low dietary calcium (0.03 %) and phosphate (0.08 %) levels (LowCaP diet) over short term (3w) and long term (17w) periods to investigate its effects on bone mineral and skeletal structure. The study provides evidence that VDR activities in mature osteoblasts are anti-catabolic for skeletal structures with normal dietary calcium/phosphate, but catabolic with extremely low calcium/phosphate diets. Whether deletion of VDR in mature osteoblasts using the Cre/lox-P system and osteocalcin promoter (ObVDR-KO) can rescue the skeletal structure of the mice when fed LowCaP diet is addressed in chapter 5. Results from this study confirmed that the activities of VDR in mature osteoblasts are modulated by the levels of dietary calcium and phosphate. Under normal calcium/phosphate levels, ObVDR-KO bone structures were not different from control mice. However, when fed LowCaP diet, the ObVDR-KO has anomalous bone structure with very high cortical porosity and high serum PTH and 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) levels. Although these studies and the mouse models have several limitations, overall data have contributed to elucidating the role of VDR activities in mature osteoblasts in skeletal biology and physiology in regards to dietary calcium/phosphate and further strengthen the evidence of the direct activities of VDR in skeletal health and mineral homeostasis. However, skeletal sites, region examined, sex, and age of the animals significantly influenced the results. Therefore, careful adjustment and further studies are needed to reveal the activities of mature osteoblast VDR in both genders, various skeletal sites, age related bone properties and its interaction with dietary calcium/phosphate.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Adelaide Medical School, 2017

The human body has been a focus of attention for thousands of years. The ancients wished to mummify it to assure transposition to the life hereafter. Today we expend a lot of effort and money to forestall the effects of aging of such a complicated machine. The mineralized portion of the body, the skeleton, is the most permanent portion of the body and records the basic size and shape of the individual. Underscoring the wish for properly functioning bones and teeth, we today have a medical ‘spare parts’ industry that provides substitute knees, hips, or an entire denture. The need to accomplish these implants/transplants successfully has aligned physicians and dentists with cell and molecular biologists, materials scientists, bioengineers, and mineralogists. All wish to create faithful replicas of the mineralized parts, but any substitutes must be in harmony with the internal dynamic biochemical environment, and be part of a viable functioning skeleton. The general health of every human is a response to the local, regional, and global environment. The interaction noted in the scientific literature almost 50 years ago (Warren 1954) continues (Hopps and Cannon 1972, Ross and Skinner 1994). There is burgeoning interest as many scientists, with ever increasing abilities to detect and measure extremely small amounts of certain elemental species or potentially hazardous substances, focus on the relationships of the environment and health. The roles of the skeletal mineral substance as a participant and faithful recorder in this crossover are outlined here. “Bone” can refer to any one of the more than 200 individual organs with distinctive shapes that make up every human skeleton or to the tissue that is present in each of these organs. The tissues of bone, and teeth, are composites of organic matrix, mineral matter, and specialized cells (Skinner 1987, Albright and Skinner 1987). The cells not only form but also maintain, reconstruct, and repair the bone tissues as required. Cells known as osteoblasts produce a protein and polysaccharide matrix in and on which mineral is deposited. The cells become embedded in this extracellular mineralized matrix but continue to assist and sustain the viability of their products.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from bone marrow stroma, are a promising source for tissue repair and regeneration, due to their excellent abilities for proliferation and multipotent differentiation. While accumulated evidences during the past decade have shown that MSCs are able to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myoblasts and adipocytes, more recent research suggest their potential in neuronal differentiation [1]. Chemical stimuli, including growth factors, hormones, and other regulatory molecules, are used traditionally to direct MSC differentiation. Our group has previously shown that the intracellular second messenger, cAMP, is able to initiate early phase neuron-like morphology changes and late phase neural differentiation in MSCs [2]. Studies using chemical stimuli alone, however, have shown limited success in differentiating MSCs to mature neurons, thereby suggesting other factors are necessary for this process. In recent years, interest has grown on the impact of mechanical stimulation, such as stiffness, surface topography, and mechanical stretching, on cell fate decision [3].