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Covalent Binding of BMP-2 on Surfaces Using a Self-assembled Monolayer Approach
Published on: August 26, 2013
Involvement of bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the pathological ossification process of the spinal ligament
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
Objective:
To investigate the function of bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the ossification of the spinal ligament (OSL).
Methods:
Total RNA was prepared from the cultured spinal ligament cells from patients with OSL and analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for BMP-2. BMP-2 mRNA expression in ligament tissues was examined by in situ hybridization. Spinal ligament cells from patients without OSL were treated with BMP-2 and examined for alkaline phosphatase activity.
Results:
Expression of the BMP-2 gene was detected in cultured spinal ligament cells. In ligament tissues, BMP-2 mRNA was present in the chondrocyte-like cells in the fibrocartilage zone. Exogenous BMP-2 increased alkaline phosphatase activity in spinal ligament cells from patients without OSL.
Conclusion:
The BMP-2 gene is expressed in the spinal ligaments of OSL patients, and exogenous BMP-2 stimulates osteogenic differentiation of spinal ligament cells. The expression of BMP-2 in the spinal ligaments could be a clue in elucidating how heterotrophic osteogenesis develops in ligament tissue.
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