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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Isolation and Enrichment of Human Adipose-derived Stromal Cells for Enhanced Osteogenesis
Published on: January 12, 2015
Polymethyl methacrylate does not adversely affect the osteogenic potential of human adipose stem cells or primary
Angela P Bastidas-Coral1, Astrid D Bakker1, Cornelis J Kleverlaan2
1Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Custom-made polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is used to treat cranial bone defects but whether it is cytotoxic is still unsure. Possible PMMA-induced adverse effects in vivo affect mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts at the implant site. We aimed to investigate whether PMMA affects osteogenic and osteoclast activation potential of human mesenchymal stem cells and/or osteoblasts. Immediately after polymerization, PMMA was added to cultured human adipose stem cells (hASCs) or human osteoblasts (hOBs). Medium lactate dehydrogenase was measured (day 1), metabolic activity, proliferation, osteogenic and osteoclast-activation marker expression (day 1 and 7), and mineralization (day 14). PMMA did not affect lactate dehydrogenase, KI67 gene expression, or metabolic activity in hASCs and hOBs. PMMA transiently decreased DNA content in hOBs only. PMMA increased COL1 gene expression in hASCs, but decreased RUNX2 in hOBs. PMMA did not affect osteocalcin or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression, ALP activity, or mineralization. Only in hOBs, PMMA decreased RANKL/OPG ratio. In conclusion, PMMA is not cytotoxic and does not adversely affect the osteogenic potential of hASCs or hOBs. Moreover, PMMA does not enhance production of osteoclast factors by hASCs and hOBs in vitro. Therefore, PMMA bone cement seems highly suitable to treat patients with cranial bone defects.
Insights
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is safe for cranial bone defects. This study found PMMA is not cytotoxic and does not harm bone cell growth or activity in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Custom-made polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is utilized for cranial bone defects.
- Concerns exist regarding potential PMMA cytotoxicity and adverse effects on bone cells in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of PMMA on the osteogenic and osteoclast activation potential of human mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) and human osteoblasts (hOBs) in vitro.
- To assess PMMA's impact on cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization.
Main Methods:
- PMMA was added to cultured hASCs and hOBs immediately after polymerization.
- Assessed lactate dehydrogenase, metabolic activity, DNA content, gene expression (COL1, RUNX2, osteocalcin, ALP, RANKL/OPG), ALP activity, and mineralization at various time points.
Main Results:
- PMMA demonstrated no cytotoxicity, with no significant changes in lactate dehydrogenase, metabolic activity, or proliferation.
- PMMA modulated specific gene expressions (increased COL1 in hASCs, decreased RUNX2 in hOBs) but did not affect osteogenic markers or mineralization.
- PMMA reduced the RANKL/OPG ratio in hOBs, suggesting no enhanced osteoclast activation.
Conclusions:
- PMMA bone cement is not cytotoxic to hASCs or hOBs in vitro.
- PMMA does not adversely affect the osteogenic potential or enhance osteoclast activation factors of these cells.
- PMMA is suitable for treating cranial bone defects.
