Abstract
In the present study, we examined the effects of rhBMP-2 on non-transformed human osteoblast-like cells. Biopsies of iliac bones were obtained from 4 patients during orthopaedic surgery. Osteoblast-like cells (HBM cells) were isolated from bone biopsies by collagenase and dispase digestion. All experiments were performed using cells within 3 passages. The cells excised showed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, parathyroid hormon (PTH) response and 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1, 25- (OH) 2D3] -dependent osteocalcin production. They were treated for 3 days with graded concentrations of rhBMP-2 at a confluent state. Treatment with 250ng/ ml rhBMP-2 increased the ALP activity in all cases. rhBMP-2 stimulated the PTH response in 3 cases but not in one case. This polypeptide inhibited 1, 25- (OH) 2D3-dependent osteocalcin production in all cases. This study suggests that rhBMP-2 elicits differentiation of human osteoblasts.
