Osteocalcin is angiogenic in vivo.
The exact function of osteocalcin (OC), a protein synthesized by osteoblasts during the matrix mineralization phase, is still unknown. In this study we investigated the capacity of OC to promote vasoproliferation in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a well established in vivo assay for angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis. The results showed that OC stimulates angiogenesis and that the response is similar to that obtained with FGF-2, a well-known angiogenic cytokine. It has previously been demonstrated that OC is involved in bone repair, so the angiogenic activity reported here might also play a crucial role in bone formation.
Department of Rheumatology, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy.
Francesco Paolo
FP
Cantatore
Enrico
E
Crivellato
Beatrice
B
Nico
Domenico
D
Ribatti
D000482:Allantois / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002823:Chorion / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D015675:Osteocalcin