Objective: To provide insights into the mechanisms and pathways of osteogensis by observing the effects of water-soluble matrix of nacre (WSM) on bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and Cbfa1 gene expressions in rabbit marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).
Methods: New Zealand rabbit BMSCs cultured in vitro were stimulated with different concentrations of WSM extracted at low temperature, and the activity of AKP in the cells was evaluated with the dose-effect curve generated. BMP-2 and Cbfa1 gene expressions in rabbit BMSCs exposed to WSM were assayed with one-step RT-PCR.
Results: The activity of AKP in rabbit BMSCs increased after stimulation with different concentrations of WSM, and the effects were the most obvious with the WSM concentration ranging from 150 to 200 microg/ml. BMP-2 gene expression in the BMSCs increased after WSM exposure, but which did not result in obvious changes in Cbfa1 gene expression.
Conclusion: WSM induces differentiation of rabbit BMSCs towards osteoblasts by increasing BMP-2 gene expression, in which process Cbfa1 gene does not seem to play a significant role.