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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
08:15
Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue
Published on: October 8, 2016
The pericyte as a possible osteoblast progenitor cell
C T Brighton1, D G Lorich, R Kupcha
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6081.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Bovine pericytes cultured in vitro exhibit bone cell-like properties, including mineralization and osteocalcin production. Their development is influenced by oxygen levels, suggesting pericytes may be osteoblast precursor cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Osteogenesis Research
Background:
- Pericytes are crucial cells in microvasculature.
- Their potential role in bone formation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro differentiation of bovine capillary and microvessel pericytes.
- To determine the influence of oxygen tension on pericyte phenotypic expression.
Main Methods:
- Culturing pericytes in vitro under varying oxygen tensions (up to 10 weeks).
- Assessing alkaline phosphatase synthesis, mineralization, and collagen/glycosaminoglycan production.
- Utilizing Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS) for elemental analysis and osteocalcin detection.
Main Results:
- Pericytes synthesized alkaline phosphatase, mineralized, and produced collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and osteocalcin.
- Cell proliferation, hydroxyproline, and alkaline phosphatase were highest at 3% oxygen.
- Osteocalcin production was lowest at 3% oxygen.
Conclusions:
- Bovine pericytes display in vitro phenotypes resembling bone cells.
- These expressions are oxygen-dependent.
- Capillary and microvessel pericytes are suggested to be potential osteoblast precursor cells.
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