Distinct gene expression pattern of osteoblastic cells derived from bone marrow and calvaria of osteoporotic rats (576.1)

Abstract

Osteoporosis is one of the most important diseases associated with aging. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a distinct expression of genes associated with osteoblast differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and calvaria osteoblastic cells (COs) of rats induced to osteoporosis through ovariectomy. Cells from bone marrow and calvaria of control and osteoporotic rats were cultured in osteogenic medium and divided into four different groups: calvaria/control (CC); calvaria/osteoporosis (CO); bone marrow/control (MC) and bone marrow/osteoporosis (MO). After 3, 7 and 10 days, real‐time RT‐PCR for key bone markers was carried out in quintuplicate (n=5) and data were compared by Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann‐Whitney tests (p<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase and runt‐related transcription factor 2 expressions were significantly increased in MO and decreased in CO in all periods. Osteocalcin expression was significantly increased in MO at 7 and 10 days, and decreased in CO in all periods. The ratio of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand /osteoprotegerin expression was significantly decreased in MO at 7 and 10 days and in CO in all periods. Our results show a distinct gene expression pattern for MSCs and COs after osteoporosis induction and suggest that MSCs undergo a metabolic adjustment in order to compensate the effects of estrogen decrease in this osteoporosis model. Grant Funding Source: Supported by FAPESP