Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
09:35
Distinctive Capillary Action by Micro-channels in Bone-like Templates can Enhance Recruitment of Cells for Restoration of Large Bony Defect
Published on: September 11, 2015
Bone cells in culture: morphologic transformation by hormones.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 25, 1976
Summary
Hormones and purine compounds cause bone cells to change shape in culture. This cellular transformation, influenced by specific drugs, offers a new model for studying hormone effects on bone cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Bone cells (osteocytes) undergo dynamic changes in response to stimuli.
- Hormones and signaling molecules play critical roles in bone remodeling and cell function.
- Understanding cellular morphology changes is key to deciphering cell signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of hormones and purine nucleosides/nucleotides on cultured bone cell morphology.
- To explore the role of specific cellular components in mediating these shape changes.
- To establish a dynamic in vitro model for studying hormone action on bone cells.
Main Methods:
- Cultured bone cells were treated with hormones, purine nucleosides/nucleotides, and cytochalasin B.
- Morphological changes (spherical to stellate shape) were observed.
- The effects of colchicine, vinblastine, lumicolchicine, and cycloheximide on the transformation were assessed.
Main Results:
- Hormones, purine nucleosides/nucleotides, and cytochalasin B induced a transient morphological transformation in bone cells.
- Colchicine and vinblastine inhibited this shape change.
- Lumicolchicine and cycloheximide did not block the transformation, suggesting specific cellular mechanisms are involved.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal and purine-induced bone cell shape changes are mediated by microtubule dynamics.
- This transient morphologic transformation serves as a valuable in vitro model for bone cell modulation.
- The findings provide insights into the mechanisms of hormone action and cellular response in bone tissue.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:30Bone Cells and Tissue
Bones contain a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of organic and inorganic components. Although bone cells compose only a small amount of the bone volume, they are crucial to its function. Four types of cells are found within the bone tissue— osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteogenic cells, and osteoclasts.
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
01:29Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...