Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 indicates the differentiation potential of human bone marrow stromal cells

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are a mixture of cells differing in differentiation potential including mesenchymal stem cells, and so far no CD antigens were found to be predictable for the differentiation property of each BMSC. Here we attempted to isolate differentiation-associated CD antigens using 100 immortalized human BMSC (ihBMSC) clones. Among 13 CD antigens analyzed, only CD106/Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) showed a clear correlation with the differentiation potential of each clone; CD106-positive ihBMSC clones were less osteogenic and more adipogenic than CD106-negative clones. This association was confirmed in primary BMSCs sorted by CD106, showing that the CD106-positive fraction contained less osteogenic and more adipogenic cells than the CD106-positive fraction. The evaluation of CD106 fraction of BMSC strains in early passages predicted clearly the osteogenic and adipogenic potential after in vitro induction of differentiation, indicating the usefulness of CD106 as a differentiation-predicting marker of BMSC.     

大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的原代培养及鉴定

摘要 目的：研究大鼠BMSCs（骨髓间充质干细胞）原代培养与纯度鉴定的方法。方法：无菌环境中,从SD大鼠股骨与胫骨端采集骨髓,先行酶消化,利用全骨髓细胞悬液贴壁法对提取BMSCs实施传代培养,选取生长良好的第3代细胞进行鉴定;对BMSCs实施成脂与成骨诱导分化,同时经由油红O（ORO）与茜素红（ARS）染色法对诱导分化效果加以鉴定;借助流式细胞术（FCM）对CD34、CD44与CD90这3类BMSCs表面标志物的表达展开分析。结果：BMSCs是长梭状贴壁细胞,生长状态为纤维细胞样漩涡状;在第3代BMSCs传代期间,其第1-3 d发展至生长潜伏期,呈较慢速的生长;第3-5 d发展至对数生长期,呈高速生长;待至第7 d长速增殖最大,速度停止上升进入平缓期;BMSCs成骨、成脂诱导结束后,对其诱导分化鉴定发现：细胞出现明显形态学变化,通过ORO对脂肪染色,细胞显示橘红色;待成骨诱导培养结束,通过ARS对钙盐染色,显示红色,且出现矿化结节沉积,说明BMSCs具有良好的成骨、成脂分化能力;FCM测定发现：CD34表达呈阴性（1.09 %）,CD90（96.8 %）与CD44（92.4 %）皆呈阳性,与BMSCs表型相符。结论：经由全骨髓黏附培养技术有效分离BMSCs,且完成培养。     

Utility of tricalcium phosphate and osteogenic matrix cell sheet constructs for bone defect reconstruction

AIM: To determine the effects of transplanting osteogenic matrix cell sheets and beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) constructs on bone formation in bone defects.METHODS: Osteogenic matrix cell sheets were prepared from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and a porous TCP ceramic was used as a scaffold. Three experimental groups were prepared, comprised of TCP scaffolds (1) seeded with BMSCs; (2) wrapped with osteogenic matrix cell sheets; or (3) both. Constructs were implanted into a femoral defect model in rats and bone growth was evaluated by radiography, histology, biochemistry, and mechanical testing after 8 wk.RESULTS: In bone defects, constructs implanted with cell sheets showed callus formation with segmental or continuous bone formation at 8 wk, in contrast to TCP seeded with BMSCs, which resulted in bone non-union. Wrapping TCP constructs with osteogenic matrix cell sheets increased their osteogenic potential and resulting bone formation, compared with conventional bone tissue engineering TCP scaffolds seeded with BMSCs. The compressive stiffness (mean ± SD) values were 225.0 ± 95.7, 30.0 ± 11.5, and 26.3 ± 10.6 MPa for BMSC/TCP/Sheet constructs with continuous bone formation, BMSC/TCP/Sheet constructs with segmental bone formation, and BMSC/TCP constructs, respectively. The compressive stiffness of BMSC/TCP/Sheet constructs with continuous bone formation was significantly higher than those with segmental bone formation and BMSC/TCP constructs.CONCLUSION: This technique is an improvement over current methods, such as TCP substitution, and is useful for hard tissue reconstruction and inducing earlier bone union in defects.     

The reduced trabecular bone mass of adult ARKO male mice results from the decreased osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stroma cells

Male mice with androgen receptor knock-out (ARKO) show significant bone loss at a young age. However, the lasting effect of AR inactivation on bone in aging male mice remains unclear. We designed this study to evaluate the effect of AR on bone quality in aging male mice and to find the possible causes of AR inactivation contributing to the bone loss. The mice were grouped according to their ages and AR status and their trabecular bones were examined by micro-CT analysis at 6, 12, 18, and 30 weeks old. We found that bone mass consistently decreased and the bone microarchitectures continuously deteriorated in male ARKO mice at designated time points. To determine the cause of the bone loss in ARKO mice, we further examined the role of AR in bone cell fate decision and differentiation and we conducted experiments on bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) obtained from wild type (WT) and AR knockout (KO) mice. We found that ARKO mice had higher numbers of colony formation unit-fibroblast (CFU-F), and CD44 and CD34 positive cells in bone marrow than WT mice. Our Q-RT-PCR results showed lower expression of genes linked to osteogenesis in BMSCs isolated from ARKO mice. In conclusion, AR nullification disrupted bone microarchitecture and caused trabecular bone mass loss in male ARKO mice. And the fate of BMSCs was impacted by the loss of AR. Therefore, these findings suggest that AR may accelerate the use of progenitor cells and direct them into osteogenic differentiation to affect bone metabolism.     

尾静脉注射骨髓间充质干细胞对1型糖尿病幼鼠的治疗作用实验研究

目的:比较尾静脉注射骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)治疗1型糖尿病(type 1 diabetes,T1D)幼鼠的效果。方法:选用3周龄C57bl/c幼鼠作为受试动物,连续5 d腹腔注射50 mg/kg的链脲佐菌素(STZ),建立T1D模型;采用酶消化法联合骨片法从2周龄C57bl/c幼鼠的胫骨和股骨中分离出BMSCs;碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和油红O染色检测P3代BMSCs的诱导分化能力;流式细胞仪鉴定P3代BMSCs的细胞表型;采用生理盐水和不同剂量的BMSCs(低剂量6×10⁵cells/mL、中剂量1.2×10⁶cells/mL和高剂量2.4×10⁶cells/mL)通过尾静脉输注的方式对T1D幼鼠进行治疗,定期检测T1D幼鼠的体重、血糖变化;T1D幼鼠治疗28 d后,取其胰脏行病理学分析。结果:(1)3周龄C57bl/c幼鼠注射STZ后14 d,幼鼠表现为体重增长缓慢、血糖明显升高;(2)分离得到的BMSCs细胞呈长梭纤维状;BMSCs成骨诱导9 d,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)染色后细胞外基质有大量碱性磷酸酶表达;BMSCs成脂诱导14 d,油红O染色后细胞内有大量脂滴出现;流式细胞仪检测BMSCs细胞表型,BMSCs不表达CD31、CD34和CD45,高表达CD29、CD90和CD105;(3)T1D幼鼠经过BMSCs治疗后,其体内的血糖下降并保持稳定;H.E.和胰岛素免疫组织化学染色结果显示实验组T1D幼鼠的胰腺组织随着治疗时间的延长,其损伤的胰腺组织得到了逐步的恢复,而未经过任何治疗的T1D幼鼠,其胰腺组织的损伤在逐步加重。结论:尾静脉注射BMSCs对于T1D幼鼠有治疗效果。     

Feasibility and efficacy of bone tissue engineering using human bone marrow stromal cells cultivated in serum-free conditions

Current standard techniques for bone tissue engineering utilize ex vivo expanded osteogenic cells. However, ex vivo expansion requires serum, which may hinder clinical applications. Here, we report the feasibility and efficacy of bone tissue engineering with human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) expanded in serum-free conditions. Bone marrow was aspirated from 4 healthy donors and adherent cells were cultured in either serum-free medium (STEMPRO^® MSC SFM) or conventional serum-containing medium (α-MEM supplemented with 10% serum). Efficacy of expansion was greater in serum-free medium. Phenotypically, serum-free expanded BMSCs were smaller in cell-size and showed expression of CD105⁺⁺ and CD146^dim. After osteogenic induction, serum-free expanded BMSCs showed lower alkaline phosphatase activity. However, they showed higher responsiveness to induction. In vivo bone-forming ability was also confirmed. In conclusion, bone tissue engineering with serum-free expanded BMSCs is feasible and as efficient as that obtained with BMSCs expanded in conventional serum-containing medium.     

BrdU体内示踪骨髓基质干细胞生物学状态的效果分析

目的:探讨5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(Brd U)体内示踪骨髓基质干细胞(BMSCs)生物学状态的效果。方法:抽取健康成年比格狗骨髓,在传代培养中进行Brd U标记并鉴定,体外实验中测定细胞周期、凋亡率和细胞活力;在体内实验中将标记Brd U的骨髓基质干细胞植入自体股骨头缺损处,另一侧单纯植入自体骨作为对照,记录成骨量与分子标记物的表达情况。结果:骨髓基质干细胞的Brd U体外标记率为85.2%。Brd U组的细胞凋亡率为3.62±1.33%,未标记组为3.52±1.08%;Brd U组与未标记组的细胞成活率分别为96.31±1.39%和95.20±2.10%,两组对比差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。移植侧Brd U标记的骨髓基质干细胞免疫组化观察可见Brd U免疫组化染色阳性,阳性率为81.6%。骨髓基质干细胞移植侧缺损区的骨钙素、Ⅰ型胶原阳性细胞表达数量与强度明显高于对照侧缺损区;骨髓基质干细胞移植侧成骨量为17.46±2.12%,对照侧为9.06±1.24%,两两对比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:Brd U在体外示踪骨髓基质干细胞能有效反映细胞的生物学状态,体内示踪显示移植的骨髓基质干细胞能成活,能促进骨组织形成和坏死骨修复。     

Molybdenum trioxide enhances viability,osteogenic differentiation and extracellular matrix formation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

BackgroundMetals and their ions allow specific modifications of the biological properties of bioactive materials that are intended for application in bone tissue engineering. While there is some evidence about the impact of particles derived from orthopedic Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys on cells, there is only limited data regarding the influence of the essential trace element Mo and its ions on the viability, osteogenic differentiation as well as on the formation and maturation of the primitive extracellular matrix (ECM) of primary human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) available so far.MethodsIn this study, the influence of a wide range of molybdenum (VI) trioxide (MoO₃), concentrations on BMSC viability was evaluated via measurement of fluorescein diacetate metabolization. Thereafter, the impact of three non-cytotoxic concentrations of MoO₃ on the cellular osteogenic differentiation as well as on ECM formation and maturation of BMSCs was assessed.ResultsMoO₃ had no negative influence on BMSC viability in most tested concentrations, as viability was in fact even enhanced. Only the highest concentration (10 mM) of MoO₃ showed cytotoxic effects. Cellular osteogenic differentiation, measured via the marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase was enhanced by the presence of MoO₃ in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, MoO₃ showed a positive influence on the expression of relevant marker genes for osteogenic differentiation (osteopontin, osteocalcin and type I collagen alpha 1) and on the formation and maturation of the primitive ECM, as measured by collagen deposition and ECM calcification.ConclusionMoO₃ is considered as an attractive candidate for supplementation in biomaterials and qualifies for further research.     

Expression of glutamyl aminopeptidase by osteogenic induction in rat bone marrow stromal cells

Glutamyl aminopeptidase (GluAP, EC 3.4.11.7, ENPEP) is a 130-kDa homodimeric zinc metallopeptidase which specifically cleaves the N-terminal glutamate or aspartate residue of peptidic substrates such as cholecystokinin-8 or angiotensin (Ang) II, in vitro. We used a DNA microarray hybridization (Genechip Rat Expression Array 230A, Affymetrix Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) to demonstrate that GluAP was upregulated in osteogenic induced rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). To compare the expression of GluAP in the osteogenic differentiation and non-osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs in vitro, the cells were osteogenic induced in vitro. We also performed an MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase assay, alizarin red staining, and an immunohistochemical analysis to determine the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The expression of GluAP was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The real-time PCR results showed that GluAP was upregulated in osteogenic differentiated BMSCs in vitro, suggesting that GluAP may be correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.     

The frequency, growth kinetics, and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation properties of canine bone marrow stromal cells

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have gained considerable attention as a potential source for cell transplantation therapies for a variety of diseases due to their accessibility, proliferative capacity, and multilineage differentiation properties. Canine BMSCs have been shown to contribute to regeneration of osseous tissues, but knowledge about their biology is currently limited. In the present study, we investigated the frequency of adult canine BMSCs in bone marrow, morphological features, growth kinetics, and osteogenic as well as adipogenic differentiation properties in vitro. Our data suggest that adult canine bone marrow contains approximately one BMSC in every 2.38 × 10⁴ bone marrow mononucleated cells (0.0042 ± 0.0019%, n = 5). Primary BMSC cultures consisted of morphologically heterogeneous adherent cell populations from which spindle-shaped cells grew and became the predominant cell type. Growth kinetics patterns were dependent on the initial cell seeding densities, resulting in the highest fold increase at lower cell density. In the presence of osteogenic and adipogenic inducers, primary BMSCs underwent morphological and phenotypic changes characteristic of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, respectively. This study provides insights into basic characterization of adult canine BMSCs.     

Modification of the bone marrow MSC population in a xenograft model of early multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by clonal proliferation of abnormal plasma cells. MM dysregulates the homeostasis of the bone niche cells like osteoclasts and osteoblasts, responsible for the bone maintenance leading to bone loss and hypercalcemia, as well as the normal immune cells leading to immunodeficiency and anemia. Osteoblasts are part of the cell population differentiating from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). MSC also gives rise to other cell types such as adipocytes and chondrocytes. It has been observed that adipocytes support MM growth by increasing its survival and chemo-resistance. As adipocytes originate from MSC, the understanding of early modifications in the MSC population during the disease progression is of paramount importance and may help for early diagnosis of MM. Herein, we have evaluated the modification of the MSC population in the bone niche in an in vivo model of MM. Our results showed that before an observable engraftment of MM in the bone niche, the proportion of MSC population is significantly decreased, while a significant increase in adipocyte related genes such as PPARγ and CEBPα expression appears, with no difference in osteogenic differentiation. These results suggest that the bone niche is switching to a “fatty” marrow which would create an adequate microenvironment for MM. This led us to screen for and identify modulated adipokines in the sera of this in vivo MM-mice model. Such changes could reflect early signs of MM and potentially be exploited as detection biomarkers of the disease.     

骨髓基质干细胞移植改善慢性酒精中毒大鼠脑损害的相关机制研究

目的:探讨骨髓基质干细胞(bone marrow stormal cells, BMSCs)静脉移植对慢性酒精中毒大鼠脑保护作用的相关机制。方法:体外分离、培养、扩增SD大鼠BMSCs。成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为慢性酒精中毒组、BMSCs回输组、磷酸缓冲盐溶液(phosphate buffer saline,PBS)回输组和对照组,每组7只。前三组用酒精灌胃8周建立慢性酒精中毒动物模型,对照组不造模(给予蔗糖灌胃),BMSCs回输组和PBS回输组于造模7周时一次性经尾静脉回输BMSCs或PBS。免疫印迹法检测海马Bcl-2、Bax、NGF、BDNF以及信号转导分子p-Akt的表达;反转录PCR检测海马神经生长因子(nerve growth factor, NGF)和脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF)。结果:BMSCs回输组海马抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达高于其余三组(P0.05);促凋亡蛋白Bax表达低于慢性酒精中毒组(P0.01),与对照组无统计学差异(P=0.989)。BMSCs回输组鼠海马内NGF和BDNF m RNA和蛋白表达、p-Akt蛋白表达均高于其余三组(P0.05)。结论:静脉移植BMSCs能够明显改善慢性酒精中毒大鼠海马的细胞凋亡;其可能与自或旁分泌BDNF和NGF营养因子有关,且可能部分是通过激活PI3K/Akt通路实现。     

Adipose-derived stem cells alleviate osteoporosis by enchancing osteogenesis and inhibiting adipogenesis in a rabbit model

Background aimsOsteoporosis (OP) is characterized by a reduction in bone quality, which is associated with inadequacies in bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). As an alternative cell source to BMSCs, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been investigated for bone repair because of their osteogenic potential and self-renewal capability. Nevertheless, whether autologous ASCs can be used to promote bone regeneration under osteoporotic conditions has not been elucidated.MethodsThe OP rabbit model was established by means of bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Both BMSCs and ASCs were harvested from OVX rabbits and expanded in vitro. The effects of osteogenic-induced ASCs on the in vitro adipogenic and osteogenic capabilities of BMSCs were evaluated. Autologous ASCs were then encapsulated by calcium alginate gel and transplanted into the distal femurs of OVX rabbits (n = 12). Hydrogel without loading cells was injected into the contralateral femurs as a control. Animals were killed for investigation at 12 weeks after transplantation.ResultsOsteogenic-induced ASCs were able to promote osteogenesis and inhibit adipogenesis of osteoporotic BMSCs through activation of the bone morphogenetic protein 2/bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IB signal pathway. Local bone mineral density began to increase at 8 weeks after ASC transplantation (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, micro–computed tomography and histological evaluation revealed more new bone formation in the cell-treated femurs than in the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that ASCs could stimulate proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro and enhance bone regeneration in vivo, which suggests that autologous osteogenic-induced ASCs might be useful to alleviate OP temporally.     

Osteogenic potential: comparison between bone marrow and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Bone tissue engineering(BTE) is now a promising re-search issue to improve the drawbacks from traditional bone grafting procedure such as limited donor sources and possible complications. Stem cells are one of the major factors in BTE due to the capability of self re-newal and multi-lineage differentiation. Unlike embry-onic stem cells, which are more controversial in ethical problem, adult mesenchymal stem cells are considered to be a more appropriate cell source for BTE. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) are the ear-liest-discovered and well-known stem cell source using in BTE. However, the low stem cell yield requiring long expansion time in vitro, pain and possible morbidities during bone marrow aspiration and poor proliferation and osteogenic ability at old age impede its' clinical ap-plication. Afterwards, a new stem cell source coming from adipose tissue, so-called adipose-derived stemcells(ASCs), is found to be more suitable in clinical ap-plication because of high stem cells yield from lipoaspi-rates, faster cell proliferation and less discomfort and morbidities during harvesting procedure. However, the osteogenic capacity of ASCs is now still debated be-cause most papers described the inferior osteogenesis of ASCs than BMSCs. A better understanding of the osteogenic differences between ASCs and BMSCs is crucial for future selection of cells in clinical application for BTE. In this review, we describe the commonality and difference between BMSCs and ASCs by cell yield, cell surface markers and multiple-differentiation poten-tial. Then we compare the osteogenic capacity in vitro and bone regeneration ability in vivo between BMSCs and ASCs based on the literatures which utilized both BMSCs and ASCs simultaneously in their articles. The outcome indicated both BMSCs and ASCs exhibited the osteogenic ability to a certain extent both in-vitro and in-vivo. However, most in-vitro study papers verified the inferior osteogenesis of ASCs; conversely, in-vivo research reviews revealed more controversies in this issue. We expect the new researchers can have a quick understanding of the progress in this filed and design a more comprehensive research based on this review.     

兔BMSCs复合纤维蛋白胶在体外分化为角膜基质细胞的研究

目的：探讨体外诱导兔骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）分化为角膜基质细胞的可行性,并观察纤维蛋白胶（FG）作为细胞支架材料的效果。方法：密度梯度法获得BMSCs,体外诱导实验将细胞分为三组：对照组用普通培养皿、BMSCs培养条件并不加角膜基质细胞共培养的条件下培养;非FG共培养组使用普通培养皿并与角膜基质细胞共培养诱导BMSCs分化;FG共培养组使用铺有FG的培养皿并与角膜基质细胞共培养诱导BMSCs分化。培养1w及2w后用WestenBlot法检测三组细胞Keratocan的表达,在相差显微镜下进行形态学观察。结果：原代培养的BMSCs表现出成体干细胞潜能,CD29染色阳性,符合骨髓基质干细胞的特征。诱导培养2周后对照组BMSCs融合成单层、呈条索状生长;非FG共培养组部分细胞体积变小、多突起,局部呈梭形生长;FG共培养组细胞生长状态良好,部分细胞呈梭形或纺锤形,与FG生物相容性好。Westen检测结果：BMSCs细胞在纤维蛋白胶或普通培养皿上特定培养条件下均能诱导表达角膜基质细胞的特异性蛋白Keratocan。结论：骨髓间充质干细胞在条件培养基下可分化为角膜基质细胞,有望作为治疗角膜疾病及角膜组织工程的备选材料,纤维蛋白胶组织相容性好,可为组织工程提供移植细胞片。     

阿司匹林对体外培养骨髓基质细胞成骨性分化的影响

目的：探讨阿司匹林对骨髓基质细胞成骨性分化的影响。方法：培养SD大鼠骨髓基质细胞（BMSCs）,传代3次后进行成骨诱导分化,诱导培养基中加入不同浓度阿司匹林（0.5、1、2、5、10mmol/L）,同时设立对照组。采用cck-8法分析细胞增殖情况。比较阿司匹林组与对照组在细胞碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性、骨钙素（OC）分泌量、钙结节染色等方面的成骨性差异。结果：阿司匹林无促进细胞增殖活性,而高浓度阿司匹林能够强烈抑制细胞增殖。0.5、1、2mmol/L浓度阿司匹林可促进BMSCs的成骨性分化,中低浓度组碱性磷酸酶含量、骨钙素分泌量在不同阶段显著高于对照组。14天茜素红染色可见中低浓度组钙结节数量高于对照组。结论：中低浓度阿司匹林作用于骨髓基质细胞可促进其成骨细胞特性表达,这表明阿司匹林有促进骨代谢合成的作用。     

Oscillatory fluid flow induces the osteogenic lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells: The effect of shear stress magnitude,frequency, and duration

A potent regulator of bone anabolism is physical loading. However, it is currently unclear whether physical stimuli such as fluid shear within the marrow cavity is sufficient to directly drive the osteogenic lineage commitment of resident mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Therefore, the objective of the study is to employ a systematic analysis of oscillatory fluid flow (OFF) parameters predicted to occur in vivo on early MSC osteogenic responses and late stage lineage commitment. MSCs were exposed to OFF of 1 Pa, 2 Pa and 5 Pa magnitudes at frequencies of 0.5 Hz, 1 Hz and 2 Hz for 1 h, 2 h and 4 h of stimulation. Our findings demonstrate that OFF elicits a positive osteogenic response in MSCs in a shear stress magnitude, frequency, and duration dependent manner that is gene specific. Based on the mRNA expression of osteogenic markers Cox2, Runx2 and Opn after short-term fluid flow stimulation, we identified that a regime of 2 Pa shear magnitude and 2 Hz frequency induces the most robust and reliable upregulation in osteogenic gene expression. Furthermore, long-term mechanical stimulation utilising this regime, elicits a significant increase in collagen and mineral deposition when compared to static control demonstrating that mechanical stimuli predicted within the marrow is sufficient to directly drive osteogenesis.     

Sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter SVCT2: Expression and function in bone marrow stromal cells and in osteogenesis

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) has a critical role in bone formation and osteoblast differentiation, but very little is known about the molecular mechanisms of ascorbic acid entry into bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). To address this gap in knowledge, we investigated the identity of the transport system that is responsible for the uptake of ascorbic acid into bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). First, we examined the expression of the two known isoforms of the sodium-coupled ascorbic acid transporter, namely SVCT1 and SVCT2, in BMSCs (Lin ? ve Sca1 + ve) and bone at the mRNA level. Only SVCT2 mRNA was detected in BMSCs and bone. Uptake of ascorbic acid in BMSCs was Na⁺-dependent and saturable. In order to define the role of SVCT2 in BMSC differentiation into osteoblasts, BMSCs were stimulated with osteogenic media for different time intervals, and the activity of SVCT2 was monitored by ascorbic acid uptake. SVCT2 expression was up-regulated during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs; the expression was maximal at the earliest phase of differentiation. Subsequently, osteogenesis was inhibited in BMSCs upon knock-down of SVCT2 by lentivirus shRNA. We also found that the expression of the SVCT2 could be negatively or positively modulated by the presence of oxidant (Sin-1) or antioxidant (Ascorbic acid) compounds, respectively, in BMSCs. Furthermore, we found that this transporter is also regulated with age in mouse bone. These data show that SVCT2 plays a vital role in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and that its expression is altered under conditions associated with redox reaction. Our findings could be relevant to bone tissue engineering and bone related diseases such as osteoporosis in which oxidative stress and aging plays important role.