Osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by both soluble factor (e.g., bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)) and mechanically transduced signaling, but the mechanisms have only been partially elucidated. In this study, physical association of BMP Receptor I (BMPRI) with integrin β1 sub-unit (Iβ1) was hypothesized to mediate osteoblast differentiation of rat bone marrow-der...

Osteoporosis is one of the most common diseases and can be treated by either anti-resorption drugs, anabolic drugs, or both. To search for anabolic drug targets for osteoporosis therapy, it is crucial to understand the biology of bone forming cells, osteoblasts, in terms of their proliferation, differentiation, and function. Here we found that protein palmitoylation participates in signaling pa...

The effects of erythropoietin on osteoblasts and bone formation are controversial. Since patients with myelodysplastic syndromes often display excessively high erythropoietin levels, we aimed to analyze the effect of erythropoietin on osteoblast function in myelodysplastic syndromes and define the role of Wnt signaling in this process. Expression of osteoblast-specific genes and subsequent oste...

Biodegradable polymer-ceramic composites are attractive systems for bone tissue engineering applications. These composites have the combined advantages of the component phases, as well as the inherent ease in optimization where desired material properties can be tailored in a well-controlled manner. This study focuses on the optimization of a polylactide-co-glycolide (PLAGA) and 45S5 bioactive ...

In patients with inflammatory arthritis, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α are overproduced in inflamed joints. This leads to local erosion of cartilage and bone, periarticular osteopenia, as well as osteoporosis. But less is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that mediate the effect of TNF-α on osteoblast function. The purpose of this study was to test that C terminus of Hsc70-interacting p...

The tendon/ligament-to-bone interface has a complex organization to enable transfer of forces through the tendon/ligament to the bone. The purpose of this study is to create a co-culture environment enabling a tissue-specific tendon region and tissue-specific bone region on a degradable scaffold, using NIH 3T3 fibroblast-deposited extracellular matrix and MC 3T3 osteoblast-deposited extracellul...

In this study, we report on a group of complementary human osteoblast in vitro test methods for the preclinical evaluation of 3D porous titanium surfaces. The surfaces were prepared by additive manufacturing (electron beam melting [EBM]) and plasma spraying, allowing the creation of complex lattice surface geometries. Physical properties of the surfaces were characterized by SEM and profilometr...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small, non-coding RNAs (17-24 nucleotides), which regulate gene expression either by the degradation of the target mRNAs or inhibiting the translation of genes. Recent studies have indicated that miRNA plays an important role in regulating osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we identified miR-203 and miR-320b as important miRNAs modulating osteoblast di...

Evans, Jodi F., James K. Yeh, and John F. Aloia. Osteoblast-like cells of the hypophysectomized rat: a model of aberrant osteoblast development. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 278: E832–E838, 2000.—In a previous work, we demonstrated that the osteoprogenitors derived from the marrow stroma of the hypophysectomized (HX) rat demonstrate enhanced proliferative and differentiation capacities when pl...

Osteoblasts form an epithelium-like layer with tight junctions separating bone matrix from extracellular fluid. During mineral deposition, calcium and phosphate precipitation in hydroxyapatite liberates 0.8 mole of H(+) per mole Ca(+2). Thus, acid export is needed for mineral formation. We examined ion transport supporting osteoblast vectorial mineral deposition. Previously we established that ...