The effects of histamine and its receptor antagonists on mouse bone marrow cells (MBMC) and MC3T3-E1 cells were studied to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying histamine activities in the respective cell types. The studied parameters were osteoclast differentiation and expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), histamine receptors (HR), and osteo...

We examined the effects of various endothelins on the mineralization of mouse clonal preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. MC3T3-E1 cells expressed mRNAs for endothelin (ET)-1 and the A-type receptor for ET (ETA). A pharmacological study also demonstrated the predominant expression of the ETA receptor. Northern blotting analysis revealed that ETs decreased the expression of mRNA for osteocalcin, whic...

Our study aimed at investigating the effect of different molecular weight bovine collagen peptides, namely CH878, CH1370, CH2900, and CH7747 on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed by a series of specific assays, after culturing of cells in the presence of collagen peptides. Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) was evaluated by NBT/BCIP...

Mechanical cues present in the ECM have been hypothesized to provide instructive signals that dictate cell behavior. We probed this hypothesis in osteoblastic cells by culturing MC3T3-E1 cells on the surface of type I collagen-modified hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and assessed their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. On gels functionalized with a low type I collagen ...

The progressive ankylosis gene (ank) encodes a transmembrane protein that transports intracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (PP(i)) to the extracellular milieu. ank/ank mice, which express a truncated nonfunctional ANK, showed a markedly reduced bone mass, bone-formation rate, and number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP(+)) multinucleated osteoclasts. ANK function deficiency...

Interstitial fluid flow (IFF) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) produces low magnitude shear stresses on cells. Fluid flow-induced stress (FSS) plays an important role during tissue morphogenesis. To investigate the effect of low FSS generated by IFF on cells, we developed a microfluidic-based cell culture device that can generate multiple low shear stresses. By changing the length and widt...

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles have been shown to inhibit the differentiation, proliferation, and mineralization of osteoprogenitor cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of OP-1 (BMP-7) on the osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 osteoprogenitor cells exposed to PMMA particles in vitro. MC3T3-E1 cells challenged with PMMA particles on the 1st day of differentiation in osteogen...

Oestrogen and oestrogen receptors (ER) play critical roles in the maintenance of bone remodelling. Genistein, structurally similar to 17β-oestradiol, is a phyto-oestrogen that may be beneficial for treating osteoporosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of genistein on the regulation of ERα gene expression and osteoblast mineralisation using MC3T3-E1 cells and primary rat calvaria...

Liuweidihuang wan (LW), initially a well-known formula for curing "wu chi wu ruan", is commonly used nowadays for clinical treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PO), but the identity of the effective substance(s) remains unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of morroniside and loganin isolated from LW on the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 ...

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), an 84-amino acid peptide, is an endocrine hormone that is secreted by parathyroid glands. PTH performs important functions in calcium regulation and bone remodeling. The PTH (1-34) named teriparatide, a 34-amino acid peptide derived from the N-terminus of PTH, conserves most of the functions of PTH, specifically the osteogenic capability. However, teriparatide is only...