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Osteogenesis in in vivo diffusion chamber cultures of human marrow cells
1Division of Oral Pathology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
The osteogenic diffusion chamber culture of rodent marrow cells is a well established system. In the present study, marrow cells from children and adult human donors were incubated in diffusion chambers implanted intraperitoneally in athymic mice. After 4 or 8 weeks, the chamber content was examined by light and electron microscopy. Child-cell cultures showed osteogenic tissue consisting of a mineralizing fibrous component and cartilage. Ultrastructurally, the fibrous tissue was similar to osteoid and exhibited osteoblast-like cells and mineralizing nodules. Mineral aggregates were also found in the cartilage. These features in child-cell chambers were similar to those found in control chambers of rabbit marrow cells. Adult-cell chambers showed only unmineralized fibrous tissue. These results render previous findings in animal-cell diffusion chamber systems relevant to the understanding of bone formation in man. It is suggested that the difference between child- and adult-cell chambers reflects an age-related decline in the number of marrow osteoprogenitor cells or their potential to undergo terminal osteogenic differentiation.
Insights
Human marrow cells cultured in diffusion chambers show age-related differences in bone formation. Child marrow cells formed osteogenic tissue, while adult cells did not, suggesting a decline in osteoprogenitor cells with age.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Osteogenic diffusion chamber culture is a validated method for studying bone formation.
- Marrow cells possess osteogenic potential, but age-related changes are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the osteogenic potential of human pediatric and adult marrow cells using the diffusion chamber assay.
- To compare bone formation capacity between child and adult human marrow cells in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Human pediatric and adult bone marrow cells were cultured in diffusion chambers.
- Chambers were implanted intraperitoneally in athymic mice for 4 or 8 weeks.
- Chamber contents were analyzed using light and electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Child marrow cell cultures exhibited mineralizing fibrous tissue resembling osteoid and cartilage.
- Adult marrow cell cultures showed only unmineralized fibrous tissue.
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed osteoblast-like cells and mineralizing nodules in child-cell cultures.
Conclusions:
- Human pediatric marrow cells possess significant osteogenic potential in vivo.
- Adult marrow cells show a diminished capacity for osteogenic differentiation compared to pediatric cells.
- Age-related decline in osteoprogenitor cell number or differentiation potential may explain these findings.