Association between circulating osteoprogenitor cell numbers and bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
The role of circulating osteoprogenitor cells in postmenopausal osteoporosis is unknown. We found that alkaline-phosphatase-positive (AP+) cells are the lacking cells in osteoporosis, whose reduction is related to bone loss. Conversely, the increased number of alkaline phosphatase/CD34-positive cells may reflect the reactive bone marrow contribution to bone formation.


BACKGROUND
Circulating osteoprogenitor cells mineralize in vitro and in vivo. Loss of osteogenic cells may account for bone loss in osteoporosis. We studied whether there is an association between the number of circulating osteoprogenitor cells and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis.


METHODS
The number of circulating AP+, osteocalcin-positive (OCN+), AP+/CD34+, and OCN+/CD34+ cells was quantified in 54 postmenopausal osteoporotic women and 36 age-matched nonosteoporotic controls.


RESULTS
The number of AP+ cells was lower in osteoporotic women than in controls (127 +/- 16 vs 234 +/- 23 per microliter; p < 0.001); higher levels of AP+/CD34+, OCN+, and OCN+/CD34+ cells were found in osteoporotic than controls (p < 0.01 for all). The number of AP+ cells was correlated with lumbar BMD (rho = 0.29; p = 0.008) and proximal femur BMD (rho = 0.31; p = 0.005) whereas inverse correlations were found between AP+/CD34+ cells, OCN+, OCN+/CD34+, and BMD. Reduced AP+ cells and increased AP+/CD34 +, OCN+, and OCN+/CD34+ cells were predictors of low BMD, independent of traditional risk factors for osteoporosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In postmenopausal osteoporotic women, a reduced number of circulating AP+ cells and increased levels of AP+/CD34+, OCN+, and OCN+/CD34+ cells are associated with reduced bone mineral density, the interpretation of such a cellular imbalance needing exploration.
Pirro
M
M
Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Hospital "Santa Maria della Misericordia", Piazzale Menghini, 1-06129 Perugia, Italy. mpirro@unipg.it
Leli
C
C
Fabbriciani
G
G
Manfredelli
M R
MR
Callarelli
L
L
Bagaglia
F
F
Scarponi
A M
AM
Mannarino
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000097:blood; D017209:Apoptosis; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000473:pathology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019311:Staurosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015675:Osteocalcin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D019311:Staurosporine