Effect of exogenous nitric oxide on the proliferation of a human osteoblast (HOS) cell line induced by hydroxyapatite

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the proliferation of hydroxyapatite (HA)-induced human osteoblast cell line (HOS cells) may be up-regulated by exogenous nitric oxide (NO).

HOS cells were cultured on the surface of HA with or without the presence of a NO donor, S-nitroso acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) or nitroso acetyl penicillamine (NAP). 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) known as carboxy PTIO, a NO scavenger, was added in the cell cultures with or without the presence of SNAP. The cells were also pre-treated with L-N5-(1-iminoethyl)orthinine hydrochloride (L-NIO), an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, or anti-integrin alphaV antibody before culturing on HA surfaces with or without the presence of SNAP. Medium, cells alone or cells pretreated with these inhibitors or antibodies was used as the controls. Cell proliferation was assessed by colorimetric assay.

The results showed that SNAP, but not NAP, augmented HA-induced HOS cell proliferation. This modulatory effect of SNAP on HA-induced HOS cell proliferation was abolished by carboxy PTIO or anti-integrin alphaV antibody, but only partially reduced by L-NIO.

Therefore, the results of this study suggest that exogenous NO alone may up-regulate the proliferation of HOS cells attached on HA surfaces via integrin alphaV molecules.