Isolation and characterization of highly serum-dependent cells released early from collagenase digested calvaria

A subclass of highly serum-dependent bone cells has been identified among the cells released early from calvaria following digestion in collagenase. Partial purification for these cells has been carried out based on the observation that they require serum for attachment to polystyrene culture flasks. This subclass of bone cells differs from adherent cells and late released osteoblasts, in that they express almost no cAMP response to PTH, require high levels of serum (10%) for initial growth and proliferation, and do not increase DNA synthesis in response to PTH. In common with adherent cells and late released osteoblasts, their proliferation is decreased by 1,25(OH)2D3 at doses above 0.2 ng/ml and they respond to PGE2 with increased DNA synthesis. These similarities suggest an ontogenic relationship with osteoblasts. Based on their differences, however, provisional identification of these cells as relatively undifferentiated mesenchymal cells is suggested.