Influence of synovial fluid on human osteoblasts: an in vitro study.
Osseous graft healing at the tendon bone interface after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is unsatisfactory in 10-25%, depending on the evaluation criteria or the kind of graft used for reconstruction. Mechanical as well as biological aspects are currently discussed. Since osteoblasts play an important role in the osseous integration of an ACL graft, we hypothesize that synovial fluid (SF), when entering the bone tunnel, has an inhibitory effect on osteoblasts. In order to verify this hypothesis, human osteoblasts (p3) were incubated in the presence of SF or partially purified SF. Proliferation was assayed using MTT or BrdU assay. Gene expression of osteoblast markers (alkaline phosphatase, collagen I, and osteocalcin) were determined by TaqMan analysis. In the control group, SF was exchanged by fetal calf serum (FCS). The results showed osteoblast proliferation in the presence of SF as well as in partially purified heat-pretreated synovial fluid. Native SF induced alkaline phosphatase and collagen I gene expression. No induction of the osteocalcin gene was observed in the experiment. These results were comparable to that obtained with FCS. These findings suggest that SF stimulated proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro. This effect is mediated, in part, by heat-stable components of SF. In addition, the expression of osteoblast marker genes alkaline phosphatase and collagen I, but not osteocalcin, was induced by SF. Therefore, problems associated with cruciate ligament reconstruction might be due to the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation. If so, this is not a specific attribute of SF, but also applies to serum.
Fuchs
Thomas F
TF
Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Petersen
Wolf
W
Vordemvenne
Thomas
T
Stange
Richard
R
Raschke
Michael
M
Paletta
Jürgen R J
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005562:Formazans / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005562:Formazans; D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D015675:Osteocalcin; C079782:MTT formazan; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine