title: Four-point bending protocols to study the effects of dynamic strain in osteoblastic cells in vitro.
abstract: Strain engendered within bone tissue by mechanical loading of the skeleton is a major influence on the processes of bone modeling and remodeling and so a critical determinant of bone mass and architecture. The cells best placed to respond to strain in bone tissue are the resident osteocytes and osteoblasts. To address the mechanisms of strain-related responses in osteoblast-like cells, our group uses both in vivo and in vitro approaches, including a system of four-point bending of the substrate on which cells are cultured. A range of cell lines can be studied using this system but we routinely compare their responses to those in primary cultures of osteoblast-like cells derived from explants of mouse long bones. These cells show a range of well-characterized responses to physiological levels of strain, including increased proliferation, which in vivo is a feature of the osteogenic response.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Southwell Str, Bristol, BS2 8EJ, UK.
authors.forename: Gabriel L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: Joanna S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology