Cell-cell interactions in the osteogenic compartment of bone

The interactions between two different cell populations within the osteogenic compartment have been examined. The proliferation of periosteal fibroblasts (PF) in the presence or absence of osteoblast-like cells (OB), whose proliferative capacity was inhibited by irradiation, was measured. OB stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in PF and parathyroid hormone (PTH) enhanced the stimulation. In the reverse situation, however, PF inhibited OB. Irradiated OB also stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation in OB, and irradiated PF in PF, but both to a lesser extent. Co-culture experiments showed that direct cell-cell contact was a prerequisite for stimulation of PF. Medium mediated contact between physically separated OB and PF did not stimulate, but rather inhibited PF proliferation. These results demonstrate that OB regulate the proliferation of cells in the PF population and can transmit the proliferation stimulating message of PTH to PF. This implies that in vivo the mature osteoblast may play a pivotal role in the (hormonal) regulation of osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and therefore bone formation.