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Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells
06:47

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Published on: May 4, 2018

Cyclooxygenase-2 regulates mesenchymal cell differentiation into the osteoblast lineage and is critically involved in

Xinping Zhang1, Edward M Schwarz, Donald A Young

  • 1The Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|June 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is essential for skeletal repair, as COX-2 deficient mice show delayed bone healing and reduced osteoblastogenesis. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) rescues these defects, highlighting COX-2

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Orthopedics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cyclooxygenases (COX) are implicated in bone repair.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) raise concerns for patients with skeletal injuries.
  • COX-2's specific role in bone healing requires elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in skeletal repair.
  • To determine the impact of COX-2 deficiency on bone formation processes.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying COX-2's function in osteogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized wild-type, COX-1 knockout (KO), and COX-2 KO mice.
  • Analyzed stabilized tibia fracture healing and calvarial bone formation.
  • Examined osteoblastogenesis in bone marrow stromal cell cultures.
  • Assessed gene expression of cbfa1 and osterix.

Main Results:

  • COX-2 deficient mice exhibited significantly delayed fracture healing and reduced osteoblastogenesis.
  • Intramembranous bone formation was reduced by 60% in COX-2 KO mice.
  • Defects in osteogenesis and gene expression (cbfa1, osterix) were rescued by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
  • Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) complemented COX-2 deficiency.

Conclusions:

  • COX-2 plays a critical role in both endochondral and intramembranous bone formation during skeletal repair.
  • COX-2 regulates osteoblast differentiation and bone healing, partly through PGE2 production.
  • Targeting COX-2 may offer therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone repair.

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