[Abnormal expression and significance of Runx2 in osteoblasts of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible relationship between Runx2 and the low bone mass of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS) patients at the osteoblast level.


METHODS
Twenty eight AIS patients (mean age 14.9 years, mean Cobb angle 57.3 degrees ) in experimental group, including 2 male and 26 female, underwent posterior instrumentation between March and December 2008. They were divided into two groups. Patients in group A maintained normal bone mineral density (BMD). Patients in group B sustained osteopenia. Normal group, including 8 patients (2 males and 6 females) with a mean age of 15.3 years, were age-matched non-scoliosis adolescents who underwent spinal surgery. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in three groups. Small cancellous bone samples were harvested from the iliac crest during the operation. The chipped explants were cultured to obtained the osteoblasts. P2 generation osteoblasts were analyzed to confirm the cell phenotype. Expression of mRNA and protein of Runx2 were detected by using RT-PCR and Western blot in P2 generation osteoblasts from three groups.


RESULTS
The expression of Runx2 of osteoblasts had decreased obviously in group B compared with group A and group C (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between group A and group C (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal expression of Runx2 of osteoblasts may be responsible for the low bone mass in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.
Sun
Chao
C
Department of Spine Surgery, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
Qiu
Yong
Y
Yin
Gang
G
Shu
Hao
H
Liu
Zhen
Z
Wang
Xin-Hua
XH
Liu
Wen-Jun
WJ
Li
Hai-Bo
HB
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging