In vivo osteogenic activity of isolated human bone cells

Human bone cells were obtained as the outgrowth from cancellous bone fragments pretreated with collagenase and DNase. The osteogenic potential of cells in primary culture was assessed upon intramuscular transplantation into young mice pretreated with cortisone. Transplants were recovered after 2 weeks and examined by light microscopy. Of 34 transplants, 6 showed evidence of osteogenesis and 12 the production of unmineralized matrix. Only cells were observed in the other transplants. In an attempt to find a biochemical marker for osteogenic cells we have assayed medium osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase activity levels in cultures before transplantation. No correlation was found between the level of expression of the two osteoblast markers and the osteogenic potential of the cells.