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We obtained a range of PLGA-based composites containing sol-gel bioactive glasses (SBG) from the SiO 2 -CaO and SiO 2 -CaO-P 2 O 5 systems. Eight SBGs with different CaO/SiO 2 ratios with and without P 2 O 5 were incorporated at 50% w/w to PLGA matrix and structured into thin films suitable for cell culture. The SBG/PLGA composites were examined for their bioactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF), ion release profile in culture media with and without cells, and osteoinductivity in standard human bone marrow stromal cell (hBMSC) cultures without osteogenic growth factors. Our results indicate different surface activity of composites depending on the presence/absence of P 2 O 5 in SBG composition. Furthermore, ion release profile to culture medium differed depending on the presence/absence of cells. Direct culture of hBMSC on the SiO 2 -CaO/PLGA composite films resulted in elevated Runx-2 mRNA, opposite to low Runx-2 mRNA levels on SiO 2 -CaO-P 2 O 5 /PLGA films. All studied composites increased Osx mRNA levels. Whereas some of SiO 2 -CaO/PLGA composites did not elevate BMP-2 and -6 proteins in hBMSC cultures, high levels of these BMPs were present in all cultures on SiO 2 -CaO-P 2 O 5 /PLGA composites. All composites induced BMP-related Tak1 signalling, whereas Smad1 signalling was restricted mostly to composites containing three-component SBGs. ALP activity of hBMSC and BMP-related luciferase activity of mouse BRITE cells differed depending on whether the cells were stimulated with culture medium conditioned with SBG/PLGA composites or the cells were directly cultured on the composite surfaces. Altogether, beyond bioactivity and osteoinductivity of SBG/PLGA composites, our studies show key differences in the biological response to both the bioactive material dissolution products and upon direct cell-material contacts., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors listed have contributed sufficiently to the project to be included as authors, and all those who are qualified to be authors are listed in the author byline. To the best of our knowledge, no conflict of interest, financial or other, exists., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Titanium and its aluminum and vanadium-free alloys have especially great potential for medical applications. Electrochemical surface modification improves their surface bioactivity and stimulates osseointegration process. In this work, the effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation of the β-type alloy Ti-15Mo surface on its bioactivity is presented. Bioactivity of the modified alloy was investigated by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Biocompatibility of the modified alloys were tested using human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) and wild intestinal strains (DV/A, DV/B, DV/I/1) of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans bacteria. The particles of apatite were formed on the anodized samples. Human BMSC cells adhered well on all the examined surfaces and expressed ALP, collagen, and produced mineralized matrix as determined after 10 and 21 days of culture. When the samples were inoculated with D. desulfuricans bacteria, only single bacteria were visible on selected samples. There were no obvious changes in surface morphology among samples. Colonization and bacterial biofilm formation was observed on as-ground sample. In conclusion, the surface modification improved the Ti-15Mo alloy bioactivity and biocompatibility and protected surface against colonization of the bacteria. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 903-913, 2016., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

We have developed poly(L: -lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based composites using sol-gel derived bioactive glasses (S-BG), previously described by our group, as composite components. Two different composite types were manufactured that contained either S2-high content silica S-BG, or A2-high content lime S-BG. The composites were evaluated in the form of sheets and 3D scaffolds. Sheets containing 12, 21, and 33 vol.% of each bioactive glass were characterized for mechanical properties, wettability, hydrolytic degradation, and surface bioactivity. Sheets containing A2 S-BG rapidly formed a hydroxyapatite surface layer after incubation in simulated body fluid. The incorporation of either S-BG increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the composites and tailored their degradation rates compared to starting compounds. Sheets and 3D scaffolds were evaluated for their ability to support growth of human bone marrow cells (BMC) and MG-63 cells, respectively. Cells were grown in non-differentiating, osteogenic or osteoclast-inducing conditions. Osteogenesis was induced with either recombinant human BMP-2 or dexamethasone, and osteoclast formation with M-CSF. BMC viability was lower at higher S-BG content, though specific ALP/cell was significantly higher on PLGA/A2-33 composites. Composites containing S2 S-BG enhanced calcification of extracellular matrix by BMC, whereas incorporation of A2 S-BG in the composites promoted osteoclast formation from BMC. MG-63 osteoblast-like cells seeded in porous scaffolds containing S2 maintained viability and secreted collagen and calcium throughout the scaffolds. Overall, the presented data show functional versatility of the composites studied and indicate their potential to design a wide variety of implant materials differing in physico-chemical properties and biological applications. We propose these sol-gel derived bioactive glass-PLGA composites may prove excellent potential orthopedic and dental biomaterials supporting bone formation and remodeling.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) contain osteoprogenitors responsive to stimulation by osteogenic growth factors like bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). When used as grafts, BMSCs can be harvested from different skeletal sites such as axial, appendicular, and orofacial bones, but the lower therapeutic efficacy of BMPs on BMSCs-responsiveness in humans compared to animal models may be due partly to effects of skeletal site and age of donor. We previously reported superior differentiation capacity and osteogenic properties of orofacial BMSCs relative to iliac crest BMSCs in same individuals. This study tested the hypothesis that recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) stimulates human BMSCs differently based on age and skeletal site of harvest. Adult maxilla, mandible, and iliac crest BMSCs from same individuals and pediatric iliac crest BMSCs were comparatively assessed for BMP-2 responsiveness under serum-containing and serum-free insulin-supplemented culture conditions. Adult orofacial BMSCs were more BMP-2-responsive than iliac crest BMSCs based on higher gene transcripts of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and osteogenic transcription factors MSX-2 and Osterix in serum-free insulin-containing medium. Pediatric iliac crest BMSCs were more responsive to rhBMP-2 than adult iliac crest BMSCs based on higher expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin in serum-containing medium. Unlike orofacial BMSCs, MSX-2 and Osterix transcripts were similarly expressed by adult and pediatric iliac crest BMSCs in response to rhBMP-2. These data demonstrate that age and skeletal site-specific differences exist in BMSC osteogenic responsiveness to BMP-2 stimulation and suggest that MSX-2 and Osterix may be potential regulatory transcription factors in BMP-mediated osteogenesis of adult orofacial cells.

We have examined the ability of bioactive sol-gel glass ceramics to support both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation from human bone marrow cells (HBMC). Nucleated cells from human bone marrow were cultured on tissue culture plastic and on two sol-gel coatings: A2 glass-ceramic containing 54 mol % CaO/40 mol % SiO(2) and S2 glass-ceramic containing 16 mol % CaO/80 mol % SiO(2). Osteoblast differentiation was followed by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mRNA levels for ALP, osteopontin, RANK ligand (RANKL), and immunofluorescent co-localization of ALP and RANKL. Osteoclasts were identified by morphology and positive staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). ALP activity and mRNA levels were similar for cells on A2 coatings and on tissue culture plastic, but mRNA levels of osteopontin and RANKL were tenfold higher on A2 than on plastic. Cultures on A2 coatings also contained multinucleated osteoclasts staining positively for TRAP. In contrast, cells cultured on S2 coatings had the characteristics of more differentiated osteoblasts as measured by higher ALP expression. However, the levels of osteopontin and RANKL mRNA on S2 glass were lower than on A2 glass and there were fewer, weakly staining TRAP-positive multinucleate cells. Thus, sol-gel glass-ceramic materials differing in CaO/SiO(2) ratios can produce markedly different effects on the osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation from HBMC., ((c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) are the major source of osteoblasts for bone remodeling and repair in postnatal animals. Rodent MSC cultured with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) differentiate into osteoblasts, but most human MSC show a poor osteogenic response to BMPs. In this study we demonstrate that BMP-induced osteogenesis in poorly responsive human MSC requires modulation of ERK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) pathways. Either treating human MSC cultures with the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 or transferring them to serum-free medium with insulin or IGF-I permits BMP-dependent increases in the expression of the early osteoblast-associated genes, alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin. Increased expression of these genes in BMP-treated, serum-free cultures correlates with increased nuclear levels of activated Smads, whereas serum-free cultures of human MSC expressing constitutively active MAPK/ERK kinase show decreased expression of early osteoblast genes and decreased nuclear translocation of BMP-activated Smads. Inhibiting ERK activity in human MSC also elevates the expression of Msx2, a transcription factor that is directly regulated by Smad-binding elements in its promoter. Therefore, growth factor stimulation leading to high levels of ERK activity in human MSC results in suppressed BMP-induced transcription of several early osteoblast genes, probably because levels of BMP-activated nuclear Smads are decreased. In contrast, inhibiting the insulin/IGF-I-activated PI3-K/AKT pathway decreases BMP-induced alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin expression in serum-free cultures of human MSC, but increases BMP activation of Smads; thus, PI3-K signaling is required for BMP-induced expression of early osteoblast genes in human MSC either downstream or independent of the BMP-activated Smad signaling pathway.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) promote the differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells, and also induce osteogenesis in bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) from rats and mice. However, compared to results with animal models, BMPs are relatively inefficient in inducing human MSC to undergo osteogenesis, and are much less effective in promoting bone formation in human clinical trials. Previous studies indicated that, while human MSC respond to dexamethasone with elevated levels of the osteoblast marker alkaline phosphatase, most isolates of human MSC fail to show alkaline phosphatase induction in response to BMP-2, BMP-4, or BMP-7. Several other genes known to be induced by BMPs are appropriately regulated; thus, human MSC are capable of some BMP-activated signaling. Analysis of the BMP receptors ALK-3 and ALK-6 indicated that, although ALK-6 mRNA was not expressed in human MSC, overexpressing a constitutively active ALK-6 receptor did not induce elevated alkaline phosphatase. Real-time RT-PCR was used to investigate expression of several osteoblast-related transcription factors in MSC after 6 days' exposure to BMP2 or dexamethasone. Msx-2, a transcription factor that has been reported to inhibit differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells, showed 10-fold elevation in BMP-2-treated human MSC, but not in BMP-2-treated rat MSC. Overexpression of Msx-2 in human and rat MSC, however, did not alter alkaline phosphatase levels, which suggests that absence of BMP-stimulated alkaline phosphatase was not caused by the BMP-2-induced increase in Msx-2. Although Runx2 isoforms have been implicated in control of osteoblast differentiation, levels of this transcription factor were unaffected by BMP treatment. Expression of the FKHR transcription factor, which has been reported to regulate alkaline phosphatase transcription in mouse cells, showed a modest increase in response to BMP-2, but a much greater increase in dexamethasone-treated cells. We propose that BMP regulation of the bone/liver/kidney alkaline phosphatase gene is indirect, requiring expression of new transcription factor(s) that behave differently in rodent and human MSC., (Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Background: Adherent bone marrow stromal cells are inducible osteoprogenitors, giving rise to cells expressing osteoblast markers including alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein. However, the potency of inducers varies in a species-specific manner. Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone induce alkaline phosphatase activity in both human and rat mesenchymal stem cells, while mouse bone marrow stromal cells are refractory to dexamethasone-induced alkaline phosphatase activity. In contrast, BMP induces alkaline phosphatase activity in both mouse and rat bone marrow stromal cells, while BMP effects on human bone marrow stromal cells are poorly characterized., Methods: Bone marrow samples were isolated from patients undergoing hip replacement. Mononuclear marrow cells were cultured and grown to confluence without or with 10 (-7) M dexamethasone. Cells from each isolate were passaged into medium containing 100 micro g/mL ascorbate phosphate and treated with dexamethasone, 100 ng/mL BMP, or no inducer. At day 6, alkaline phosphatase activity was assayed, and RNA was prepared for mRNA analyses by real-time polymerase chain reaction., Results: Bone marrow stromal cells from twenty-four of twenty-six patients showed no significant osteogenic response to BMP-2, 4, or 7 as determined by alkaline phosphatase induction. However, BMPs induced elevated levels of other genes associated with osteogenesis such as bone sialoprotein and osteopontin as well as BMP-2 and noggin. If primary cultures of human bone marrow stromal cells were pretreated with dexamethasone, BMP-2 treatment of first-passage cells induced alkaline phosphatase in approximately half of the isolates, and significantly greater induction was seen in cells from males. Dexamethasone treatment, like BMP treatment, also increased expression of the BMP-binding protein noggin., Conclusions: Most human femur bone marrow stromal cell samples appear incapable of expressing elevated alkaline phosphatase levels in response to BMPs. Since BMP treatment induced expression of several other BMP-regulated genes, the defect in alkaline phosphatase induction is presumably not due to impaired BMP signaling. We hypothesize that the mechanism by which BMPs modulate alkaline phosphatase expression is indirect, involving a BMP-regulated transcription factor for alkaline phosphatase expression that is controlled differently in humans and rodents.

We have established a new adult human bone marrow-derived cell line hMPC 32F, stably transduced with human papilloma virus type 16 E6/E7 genes, that displays mesenchymal multilineage differentiation ability in vitro. The hMPC 32F cells exhibited a population doubling time of 22 h and have been maintained in culture for about 20 passages. When cultured in conditions promoting osteogenic, adipogenic, or chondrogenic differentiation, hMPC 32F cells expressed mature differentiated phenotypes. These include (1) osteoblastic phenotype characterized by upregulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and extracellular matrix mineralization, (2) adipocytic phenotype with the presence of intracellular lipid droplets, and (3) chondrocytic phenotype of round cells surrounded by a sulfated proteoglycan-rich matrix. In addition, the hMPC 32F cells expressed differentiation lineage-specific genes, as detected by RT-PCR. Furthermore, osteogenic and adipogenic cultures responded to regulatory factors such as transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). Thus, continuous treatment of osteogenic cultures for 2 weeks with TGF-beta1 decreased ALP activity and mRNA expression and inhibited osteocalcin mRNA expression and matrix mineralization, whereas l,25(OH)2D3 had an additive, stimulatory effect. In adipogenic cultures, treatment with TGF-beta1 for 2 weeks markedly inhibited adipogenesis whereas 1,25(OH)2D3 had no obvious effect. Finally, clonal analysis of hMPC 32F cells revealed a high percentage of multipotent clones, although clones of more restricted differentiation potential were also present. These characteristics of the hMPC 32F cell line suggest their pluripotent, progenitor, and nontransformed nature and indicate their potential application for studying the mechanisms governing developmental potential of adult human bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells.