Alterations of Gene Expression by Beta-tricalcium Phosphate in Osteoblast-like MG63 Cells

Abstract

Purpose: Beta-tricalcium phosphate ( ββ -TCP) is a synthetic calcium phosphate ceramic that has widely been used as a bone material to repair bone defects. Despite many clinical studies, the molecular mechanism whereby this biomaterial alters the gene expression in osteoblasts to promote bone formation is poorly understood. Thus, we attempted to address this question by using microarray techniques to identify the genes that are differentially regulated in osteoblasts exposed to ββ -TCP. Methods: By using DNA microarrays, we identified several genes whose expression levels were significantly up- or down-regulated in osteoblast-likeMG-63cells cultured with ββ -TCP at a concentration of 100 mg/10 ml for 24 hours. Results: The differentially expressed genes covered a broad range of functional activities: signal transduction, transcription, cell cycle regulation, vesicular transport, apoptosis, immunity, cytoskeletal elements and cell proliferation and differentiation. Conclusion: The gene expression changes related to cell proliferation and differentiation, vesicle transport, immunity and defense could affect the osteogenic activities of osteoblasts for bone regeneration. However, further studies will be required to verify the relative importance of these genes in bone formation, their temporal and spatial expression patterns and their interactions with each other.