Effect of interferon-alpha-2b on porcine mesenchymal stem cells.
OBJECTIVE
Patients undergoing enucleation and adjuvant interferon therapy for giant cell jaw tumors have been observed to exhibit exuberant bone formation in the resultant defects. We hypothesize that interferon promotes bone formation by enhancing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation and by stimulating osteoblasts. This is a preliminary study to determine the effects of interferon on porcine mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs) in culture.


METHODS
Isolated pMSCs were grown under the following conditions: 1) MSCs alone (negative control); 2) MSCs + osteogenic supplements (positive control); and 3) MSCs + interferon (experimental). Cell cultures were evaluated morphologically, by quantitative DNA analysis, and quantitative and qualitative alkaline phosphatase analysis.


RESULTS
Cells treated with interferon exhibited a slower but constant proliferation rate, did not clump, and produced more alkaline phosphatase as compared with the negative control.


CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that interferon may act to differentiate MSCs into osteoblasts and to stimulate metabolic activity while not increasing the proliferation rate.
Abukawa
Haru
H
Skeletal Biology Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Kaban
Leonard B
LB
Williams
W Bradford
WB
Terada
Shinichi
S
Vacanti
Joseph P
JP
Troulis
Maria J
MJ
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004247:DNA; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase