Bone cement extracts modulate the osteoprotegerin/osteoprotegerin-ligand expression in MG63 osteoblast-like cells

The osteoprotegerin-ligand (OPG-L) has been identified as the essential factor required for osteoclastogenesis, and its effects are prevented by the osteoprotegerin (OPG). The OPG-L/OPG balance plays a crucial role in coordinating the sequence of osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation during the bone remodeling. The aim of the study was to investigate if polymethylmethacrylate-based cements are able to modulate the expression of OPG-L/OPG in MG63 cells, which are known to have high levels of OPG and inducible expression of OPG-L. Four radio-opaque cements. namely Sulfix-60, CMW1, CMW2 and CMW3, were polymerized for either 1 h or 7 d. MG63 were incubated for 24 h with culture medium only, cement extracts and 2 microg/ml of human recombinant IL-1beta as positive control. An RT-PCR was performed to detect the OPG and OPG-L expression, and the house-keeping gene, GAPDH, was used as a reference for the semi-quantitative analysis. An increase in the OPG-L band density was observed for all cements, and consequently, the OPG-L/OPG ratio also increased. The ability of bone cements to induce the expression of OPG-L could be a co-factor in the development of osteolysis at the bone-cement interface.