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C T Liang

Publications and source records attributed to C T Liang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of IGF-I and PDGF administered in vivo on the expression of osteoblast-related genes in old rats.

In order to establish the cellular basis for using growth factors as possible therapeutic agents for the age-dependent deficit in bone formation activity, we examined the individual and combined effects of IGF-I and/or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the gene expression of osteoblast-related markers in male rats. The expression of osteoblast markers was examined in the femurs of adult and old rats following marrow ablation, which amplifies gene expression activity. The mRNA levels of collagen(alpha1) (I) (COLI), alkaline phosphatase (AP), osteopontin (OP) and osteocalcin (OC) were significantly lower in the old as compared with the adult rats. To determine whether growth factors can abolish the age-related deficits in mRNA expression in old bone, PDGF and/or IGF-I were infused directly into the right femur for 5 days following marrow ablation. The contralateral femur was infused with vehicle only and used as a control. PDGF stimulated the expression of OP mRNA in both adult and old rats, whereas COLI, AP and OC mRNAs were not affected. IGF-I infusion did not have a significant effect on mRNA expression in adult rats. In contrast, treatment with IGF-I significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of COLI, AP and OP in old rats. To examine whether the combination of both factors could affect the expression of osteoblast markers synergistically, PDGF and IGF-I were infused together. In adult bones, the combined treatment with PDGF and IGF-I caused a slight increase in the level of OP gene expression but no change in AP, OC or COLI genes. Although neither IGF-I nor PDGF alone was effective in stimulating the expression of OC, the combined treatment in old bones enhanced OC expression significantly. The expression of COLI, AP and OP was also stimulated, but the stimulation was no different from that of IGF-I alone. In PDGF plus IGF-I treatment with a high dose, no dose-response effects were observed. Within the limits of the present study, it is suggested that IGF-I and, to a much lesser extent, PDGF may partially restore the deficit in the expression of osteoblast markers in old bones, and that the combination of both factors is slightly better than IGF-I alone in stimulating OC expression.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Local and systemic expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNAs in rat after bone marrow ablation.

Local and systemic expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) during bone formation was studied using the rat bone marrow ablation model. The temporal expression pattern of IGF-I mRNA in rat femurs was examined. The IGF-I mRNA level was enhanced rapidly after ablation reaching a level threefold greater than basal by day 3 (P < 0.01) and declined to basal or below basal level by day 5. Histological analysis showed that IGF- I immunoreactivity was predominantly associated with the mesenchymal cells at the bone/connective tissue interface and osteoblastic cells at active sites of bone formation. Serum level of IGF-I increased 50 and 130%, respectively (P < 0.005), over the basal level at days 3 and 6. We also investigated the systemic expression of IGF-I in liver and kidney. In contrast, hepatic IGF-I gene expression decreased 37 and 48%, respectively, at days 3 and 6 after marrow ablation (P < 0.001). Kidney IGF-I mRNA levels also fell 13 and 27%, respectively, at days 3 and 6 (P < 0.005). The present findings suggest that locally produced IGF-I during bone formation may not only serve as an autocrine/paracrine factor but also influence systemic expression of IGF-I in other organs.

Animals↗

Lumbar vertebral cancellous bone is capable of responding to PGE2 treatment by stimulating both modeling and remodeling-dependent bone gain in aged male rats.

Previously we found that PGE2 3 mg/kg in 20-month-old male rats induced massive bone formation mainly by modeling dependent bone gain in cortical bone. It is not known whether cancellous bone will respond similarly; thus, we evaluated the effect of PGE2 on cancellous bone of the same aged rats. Thirty-four 20-month-old Wistar male rats were given PGE2 (3 mg/kg/day) or vehicle subcutaneously for 10 and 30 days. Double fluorescent labels were injected 9 and 2 days prior to the sacrifice. Histomorphometry was performed on 1% toluidine blue stained and unstained sagittal sections of lumbar vertebral bodies. The results demonstrated that 10-day PGE2 treatment increased osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts (x 2-fold), osteoid (x 4.5-fold), woven bone formation (0.04%), and 40% more trabecular area; it stimulated modeling (x 2-fold) and remodeling-dependent (x 1.5-fold) bone formation with increase of mineralization lag time (MLT, x 7.5-fold). Thirty-day treatment sustained increases in osteoblast numbers, modeling and remodeling-dependent bone formation and further stimulated woven bone formation (6.6%), turnover (x 3-fold), and trabecular area and number (x 2-fold). Osteoprogenitor cells were undetectable along with 70% less osteoid area compared with 10-day treatment but still was 1.5-fold higher than aging controls. MLT returned to aging control level. It was concluded that the aged cancellous bone of 20-month-old male Wistar rat retains a capability of responding to the anabolic effect of PGE2. Osteoblastogenesis and enhanced modeling and remodeling-dependent woven or lamellar formation contribute to this anabolic action. Bone formation differed in that the endocortical surface of cortical bone was stimulated mainly by modeling whereas both modeling and remodeling-dependent bone gain were equally stimulated at the trabecular surface of the lumbar vertebral body.

Animals↗

A peptide analogue of thrombin receptor-activating peptide inhibits thrombin and thrombin-receptor-activating peptide-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

The serine protease thrombin, in addition to its pivotal role in the coagulation cascade, plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis by inducing smooth cell proliferation. Thrombin exerts its cellular effects mainly by cleaving its own receptor, leaving a new NH2-terminus that can act as a tethered ligand to activate the thrombin receptor. Peptides derived from the new NH2-terminus are able to fully activate thrombin receptor and mimic cellular effects of thrombin. Peptides with structural similarities to the tethered ligand have been tested for their ability to prevent thrombin- and tethered ligand-induced platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. We synthesized a peptide with multiple alanine substitutions in both critical and noncritical residues of tethered ligand that specifically inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin and thrombin receptor-activating peptide and prevented thrombus formation in a rabbit thrombosis model. In the present study we demonstrate that this peptide inhibited only thrombin- and tethered ligand-induced human vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation as determined by (3H)-thymidine incorporation and has no effect on platelet-derived growth factor and serum-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect of this peptide is dependent on the concentration of the antagonist used and length of preincubation time. The possible mechanism by which this peptide exerts its inhibitory effect may by desensitizing the thrombin receptor. The results of the present study suggest that apart from being antithrombotic, tethered ligand antagonist peptides can also act as antiatherosclerotic or antirestenotic agents.

Cell Count↗

A combination of subtherapeutic doses of chemically modified doxycycline (CMT-8) and a bisphosphonate (clodronate) inhibits bone loss in the ovariectomized rat: a dynamic histomorphometric and gene expression study.

Recent studies have demonstrated that tetracyclines can reduce bone loss in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis. In the current study, a non-antimicrobial, chemically modified doxycycline (CMT-8), alone or in combination with a bisphosphonate (Clodronate), was evaluated in this model. Forty-two, 6month old, female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups, (6/ group): a) sham/vehicle, b) OVX/vehicle; c) OVX/1 mg/day CMT-8; d) OVX/2 mg/day CMT-8, e) OVX/1 mg/week Clodronate; and f) OVX/1 mg/day CMT-8 + 1 mg/week Clodronate, CMT-8 was administered by oral gavage, Clodronate injected S/C. Following sham surgery or OVX, the rats were treated for 90 days with CMT-8 or vehicle alone, injected at three different times with fluorochrome labels, the rats were sacrificed, and the tibiae excised for analysis by dynamic bone histomorphometry. Femurs were aseptically removed and analyzed for collagen, collagenase and osteopontin mRNAs by Northern and dot blot analysis. As expected, OVX decreased trabecular bone volume (BV/TV by 73.8% vs. sham p<.01), and also reduced trabecular thickness, numbers, and increased spacing. Bone loss in the OVX animals was partially prevented with either 2 mg/day CMT-8 or 1 mg/wk Clodronate (p<.01), while the 1 mg/day CMT-8 had no effect. Interestingly, the efficacy of the combination therapy of CMT-8 and Clodronate was significantly better than either treatment by itself, maintaining bone mass and structural indices at levels identical to sham values. OVX rats mRNA for collagen, collagenase and osteopontin were elevated indicating high-turnover bone loss. Only COMBO therapy significantly reduced the collagenase and osteopontin mRNA. In summary, CMT-8 mono-therapy (2 mg) alone partially inhibited bone loss in this animal model of osteoporosis. However, 1 mg/day (CMT-8) monotherapy had no effect on bone loss or bone mRNA levels and when combined with Clodronate, interacted to increase efficacy. Thus, a combination of a suboptimal dose of CMT-8 and a bisphosphonate appears to increase the amount of bone by suppressing resorption in a model of osteoporosis.

Animals↗

Esophageal cancer after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.

We reported two cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for esophageal varices. Both patients were cigarette smokers and had a long history of alcohol abuse. HBsAg and Anti-HCV were negative, and Anti-HBs was positive in one of the patients. They were diagnosed as alcoholic cirrhosis with esophageal varices and received EIS treatment. Sotradecol was utilized as the sclerosant with a mean total volume of around 30 ml. Patients developed dysphagia at 5 and 48 months following EIS, respectively. Endoscopic examination showed stenosis and ulcerative mass at the lower portion of the esophagus. Biopsy revealed well- to moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. We conclude that endoscopic follow-up is essential and carcinoma of the esophagus should be included in the differential diagnosis for esophageal ulceration and dysphagia following EIS, particularly in those patients with risk factors for developing esophageal carcinoma.

Adult↗

Inhibition of arterial thrombosis by a peptide ligand of the thrombin receptor.

Thrombin plays an important role in promoting arterial thrombosis by platelet activation and by catalyzing fibrin formation. Use of thrombin inhibitors that block both the platelet-activating and fibrin formation properties of thrombin are associated with hemostasis. This problem might be overcome by developing agents that block only the platelet-activating property of thrombin. Because the platelet-activating property of thrombin is mediated by the thrombin receptor, antagonists of the thrombin receptor might be efficacious and potentially safer with regard to bleeding complications. We investigated whether a peptide ligand (AFLARAA) of the thrombin receptor that blocked alpha-thrombin and thrombin receptor activating peptide-induced platelet aggregation could inhibit thrombosis. A partially occlusive thrombus was generated by application of electric current in rabbit carotid artery. In control animals, the artery was completely occluded within 42+/-12 min after the current was discontinued. When the thrombin receptor activating peptide antagonist was given (100 micromol/kg as an IV bolus followed by 900 micromol/kg infusion for a period of 180 min) starting at the time the current was stopped, blood flow remained patent throughout the infusion period and for an additional 60 min after the infusion was stopped. The antithrombotic effect of the antagonist peptide was not associated with increased bleeding tendency, as judged by the amount of blood adsorbed by a gauze pad placed in a surgical incision extending to the muscle tissue and by a standard template bleeding time. These results indicate that thrombin receptor antagonist peptides can be used as antithrombotic agents.

Animals↗

Treatment of osteoporosis with MMP inhibitors.

In the current study, we examined the effects of minocycline on the osteopenia of ovariectomized (OVX) aged rats using the marrow ablation model. This injury induces rapid bone formation followed by bone resorption in the marrow cavity. Old female rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham, OVX, OVX + minocycline (5-15 mg/day, orally), OVX + 17 beta-estradiol (25 micrograms/day, subcutaneously), and OVX + both agents. Rats were OVX, treated with minocycline and/or estrogen, followed by marrow ablation. Bone samples were collected 16 days post-marrow ablation. X-ray radiography of bones operated on showed that treatment of OVX old rats with minocycline increased bone mass in diaphyseal region. Diaphyseal bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DEXA scan. Diaphyseal BMD of OVX rats was increased 17-25% by treatment with 5-15 mg of minocycline or 17 beta-estradiol. The effects of minocycline and estrogen treatments on the expression of osteoblast and osteoclast markers were also examined. Northern and dot blot analysis of RNA samples showed that treatment of OVX aged rats with minocycline increased the expression of type I collagen (COL I) (49%) and decreased that of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (31%). In contrast, estrogen treatment decreased the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (39%), carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) (36%), and osteopontin (OP) (37%). Neither minocycline nor 17 beta-estradiol had an effect on the expression of osteocalcin (OC) and alkaline phosphatase (AP). To elucidate the mechanism by which minocycline prevented the loss of bone in OVX aged rats, we examined the colony-formation potential of bone marrow stromal cells in ex vivo cultures. Minocycline stimulated the colony-forming efficiency of marrow stromal cells derived from old animals. We have therefore concluded that the modest increase in BMD noted in OVX aged rats, in response to minocycline treatment, may be due to a change in bone remodeling that favors bone formation; and the anabolic effect of minocycline is likely due to its effect on the expression of COL I and/or the metabolism of osteoprogenitor cells.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Actions of bFGF on mitogenic activity and lineage expression in rat osteoprogenitor cells: effect of age.

Rat osteoprogenitor cells were used to examine the effects of bFGF on DNA synthesis and the expression of osteoblast (OB)-related genes. bFGF, as low as 0.1 ng/ml, stimulated DNA synthesis. bFGF also increased the mRNA level of osteopontin (OP) and decreased that of type I collagen (COL I). When cultures were grown in dexamethasone (DEX) to induce OB lineage commitment, the expression of COL I, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and OP was greatly enhanced. Subsequent incubation with bFGF partially negated the stimulatory effect of DEX on AP and COL I mRNAs. bFGF also inhibited the expression of osteocalcin mRNA in cells grown in 1,25(OH)2D3 and DEX. Combined effects of bFGF with IGF-I or PDGF on DNA synthesis and OP expression were examined. bFGF + IGF-I, but not bFGF + PDGF, was more effective than PDGF alone. By comparing cells from adult and old animals, we found that bFGF-induced mitogenic activity was reduced significantly with age. In contrast, the effect of bFGF on the expression of OB genes was not significantly altered by age. These findings suggest that bFGF plays a dual role as a local positive and negative regulator on proliferation and osteogenic lineage expression, respectively, in osteoprogenitor cells, and that the mitogenic activity in response to bFGF was impaired in aging.

Aging↗

Effects of growth hormone and testosterone on cortical bone formation and bone density in aged orchiectomized rats.

Osteoporosis in men is a disease that is increasing in incidence, and with an increasing elderly population it poses a serious health problem. Since both testosterone (T) and growth hormone (GH) have an anabolic effect on bone and both decrease with aging, we were prompted to test whether the administration of these hormones in combination would increase bone mass in orchiectomized (orx) senile rats more than administration of either agent alone. Twenty-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups with seven animals each: (a) age-matched intact control, (b) orx, (c) orx+GH (2.5 mg/kg/day), (d) orx+T [10 mg/kg, subcutaneous (s.c.), injection given twice a week], and (e) orx+GH+T. Testosterone and GH were given subcutaneously for 4 weeks. Bone histomorphometry of the tibial shaft showed that the orx group had lower cortical bone area than the intact control group. The decrease in cortical bone area was due to increased intracortical porosis as well as decreased periosteal bone formation rate (BFR). Administration of T to the orx animals prevented the development of the porosis and the decrease in periosteal BFR. The bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur as tested by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were significantly higher in the orx+T than in the orx group and were not significantly different from that of the intact control group. Administration of GH to the orx rats increased periosteal BFR significantly; however, the BMC and BMD measured were not increased significantly in comparison to the orx group. When GH and T were combined in treatment, the cortical bone area, periosteal BFR, and femoral BMD were all significantly higher than that of the orx and even higher than the intact control rats. Two-way analysis of variance shows that the individual effect of GH and T treatment on the periosteal BFR and cortical bone area was significant. The effect of T, but not GH, on femoral BMC and BMD was also significant; however, there is no synergistic interaction between the two treatments. Four weeks of orx with or without GH or T administration had no significant effect on tibial metaphyseal cancellous bone volume. In conclusion, this short-term study suggests that the combined intervention of GH and T in androgen-deficient aged male rats may have an independent effect in preventing osteopenia. The significant effect of GH+T may be attributed to the prevention of intracortical porosis, and an increase in periosteal bone formation and cortical bone mass.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Effect of minocycline on osteoporosis.

The effect of oral minocycline on osteopenia in ovariectomized (OVX) old rats was examined in this study. Rats were divided into 4 groups: sham-operated, OVX followed by treatment with vehicle, minocycline, or 17 beta-estradiol. The treatment was initiated one day after OVX and proceeded for 8 wks. OVX reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in the whole femur and in the femoral regions that are enriched in trabecular bone. Treatment with minocycline or estrogen prevented a decrease in BMD. Femoral trabecular bone area, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness were reduced, and trabecular separation was increased by OVX. Treatment with minocycline or estrogen abolished the detrimental effects induced by OVX. OVX also reduced indices that reflect the interconnectivity of trabecular bone, and the loss of trabecular connectivity was prevented by treatment with minocycline or estrogen. Based on the levels of urinary pyridinoline, we showed that the effect of estrogen, but not minocycline, was primarily through its inhibitory effect on bone resorption. Analysis of bone turnover activity suggests that OVX increased parameters associated with bone resorption (eroded surface) and formation (osteoid surface, mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate). Treatment with minocycline reduced bone resorption modestly and stimulated bone formation substantially. In contrast, treatment with estrogen drastically reduced parameters associated with both bone resorption and formation. We have concluded that oral minocycline can effectively prevent the decrease in BMD and trabecular bone through its dual effects on bone resorption and formation.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of locally infused IGF-I on femoral gene expression and bone turnover activity in old rats.

Previously, we showed that the age-dependent deficit in bone formation activity can be attributed in part to a decline in local expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and altered mitogenic response of old osteoprogenitor cells to IGF-I. To establish the cellular basis for using IGF-I as a possible therapeutic agent for osteoporosis, we examined the effect of locally infused (50 ng/day for 14 days) on the expression of osteoblast-related genes in femurs of old rats. Northern and dot blot analyses showed that the expression of procollagen (I), osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin was increased 0.4- to 1.5-fold in IGF-I-treated femurs as compared with control femurs. Histomorphometric analyses were carried out in parallel experiments to assess the changes in bone remodeling activity. Trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness were increased 56%, 29%, and 23%, respectively, whereas trabecular separation was reduced 26% by IGF-I treatment. IGF-I treatment increased significantly the osteoid volume, osteoid surface, osteoblast number, and osteoblast surface. Mineralizing surface and mineral apposition rate, kinetic indices of bone formation, were also stimulated by IGF-I treatment. The bone formation rate was stimulated 81% in IGF-I-treated femurs as compared with control femurs. In contrast, eroded surface and osteoclast surface, parameters associated with bone resorption, were not affected by IGF-I treatment. These findings suggest that local administration of IGF-I into femurs of old rats can stimulate the expression of matrix proteins and improve trabecular bone status by stimulating bone formation without any appreciable effect on bone resorption.

Aging↗

Mitogenic activity but not phenotype expression of rat osteoprogenitor cells in response to IGF-I is impaired in aged rats.

The age-related deficit in the dose response of osteoprogenitor cells to IGF-I was further investigated. As expected, the effective dose, but not the maximal effect, was shifted two orders of magnitude higher in old cells. In this paper, we examined whether this age-deficit can be attributed to an alteration in the expression and binding kinetics of IGF-I receptor. We showed that the levels of IGF-I receptor mRNA in cells, estimated by RT-PCR, were not significantly altered with age. Scatchard analysis showed that there were no significant differences in Kd and Bmax in cells from the two age groups. In a parallel study, we also showed that the expression of osteoblast phenotype markers was stimulated by IGF-I. However, no apparent differences in dose response curve were observed between two age groups. These results suggest that defect(s) in cell proliferation in aging may occur specifically in the signal transduction pathway between the receptor and the mitogenic response but not in the pathway associated with phenotype expression.

Aging↗

Effect of age on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-beta mRNAs in rat femurs following marrow ablation.

The expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA in rat femurs was examined following marrow ablation. Northern blot analysis showed multiple transcripts of IGF-I, a major transcript of 1.3 kb and a minor one of 2.4 kb for IL-6 and a single band of 2.5 kb for TGF-beta 1, respectively. Examination of the temporal activation pattern showed IGF-I expression peaked at day 3 (150% over the basal level) after injury and preceded the maximal expression of procollagen alpha 1(I), osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin mRNAs. This suggests that IGF-I is involved mainly in osteoblast development and bone formation. In contrast, IL-6 expression was elevated between days 3 and 9 (45-60% over the basal level). The sustained elevation of IL-6 expression at day 9 is consistent with the role for this cytokine in the development of osteoclasts and bone resorption. The expression of TGF-beta 1 was not altered up to day 9 after marrow ablation. While the temporal expression patterns of IGF-I and IL-6 mRNA did not differ between adult and old rats, the maximal level of IGF-I mRNA at day 3 was 72% higher in adult as compared to old bones. In contrast, the peak level of IL-6 mRNA at days 6-9 was 45% higher in old as compared to adult bones. Although the level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA did not change following marrow ablation, levels of TGF-beta 1 were consistently higher in old rats. Our results suggest that the impaired bone formation and elevated bone resorption in aged animals may be due in part to the reduced expression of IGF-I and an overexpression of IL-6 in old bone.

Aging↗

Minocycline prevents the decrease in bone mineral density and trabecular bone in ovariectomized aged rats.

In the current study, we examined the effects of minocycline, on the osteopenia of ovariectomized aged rats. Old female rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham, ovariectomized control and ovariectomized treated with minocycline, 17beta-estradiol, or both agents. Bone samples were collected 8 wk after the treatment. Ovariectomy reduced bone mineral density of the whole femur and at the condylar, distal metaphyseal and head-neck-trochanter regions 10%-19% and the loss of bone density was prevented by treatment with minocycline or 17beta-estradiol. Histomorphometric analysis of distal femur showed ovariectomy reduced the trabecular bone area, the trabecular bone number, trabecular bone thickness and increased the trabecular bone separation. The microanatomic structure of trabecular bone also showed that the number of nodes, node to node, cortical to node, node to free end was reduced by ovariectomy. Treatment with minocycline attenuated the effect of ovariectomy on trabecular bone in aged animals. In contrast, cortical bone was not affected by ovariectomy or minocycline treatment. The effect of minocycline on bone turnover was also examined. Minocycline increased osteoid surface, mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate and reduced eroded surface. We have therefore concluded that the modest increase in bone mineral density and the improvement in the trabecular bone status noted in minocycline treated ovariectomized aged rats is likely due to an increase in bone formation coupled with a decrease in bone resorption.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Spontaneous pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma in an aging CD rat.

Naturally occurring squamous cell carcinomas of lung of laboratory rodents are rare, and few cases have been reported and illustrated. A solid peripheral lung mass was observed grossly in a untreated 573-day-old male Sprague Dawley CD (Crl:CD [SD] BR) rat. Microscopically, the mass was composed of neoplastic squamous epithelial cells arranged in nests, cords, nodules, or solid sheets. Epithelial pearls were present. The mitotic index was high, and intercellular bridging (prickles) was noted. In some areas, neoplastic cells rimmed large cystic areas containing neutrophils, cell debris, and laminated keratin masses. Neoplastic cells had both expansive and invasive growth with entrapment of bronchioles and marked fibroplasia.

Age Factors↗

Effect of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA synthesis and gene expression in bone marrow stromal cells derived from adult and old rats.

The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on DNA synthesis and mRNA expression of osteoblast markers in marrow stromal cells derived from adult (6 months) and old (24 months) rats were examined. Treatment of stromal cells from adult rats with dexamethasone induced the appearance of osteoblast-like cells. PDGF partially also inhibited the differentiation of stromal cells induced by dexamethasone. In cultures of serum-starved stromal cells, PDGF stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum stimulation of 15-fold at 500 ng/ml. By comparison, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) has a small effect on [3H]-thymidine incorporation. The effect of PDGF and IGF-I on DNA synthesis was additive. Treatment of the confluent stromal cells from adult rats with PDGF increased the mRNA level of osteopontin fourfold without any significant effect on alkaline phosphatase and type I collagen mRNAs. In contrast, dexamethasone stimulated the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and osteopontin 2.1-, 2.3-, and 14-fold, respectively. Addition of PDGF to dexamethasone-treated cells failed to induce any further increase in osteopontin expression whereas the expression of alkaline phosphatase and type I collagen was partially reduced. The expression of osteocalcin mRNA was negligible in stromal cells but stimulated several fold by dexamethasone and 1,25(OH)2D3. PDGF inhibited drastically the elevation of osteocalcin mRNA. In contrast, IGF-I stimulated type I collagen expression 100% without any appreciable effect on the expression of osteopontin and alkaline phosphatase. The stimulatory effect of PDGF on osteopontin expression was augmented by IGF-I. Furthermore, PDGF attenuated the stimulatory effect of IGF-I on type I collagen expression. The responses of cultured cells from old rats to growth factors were also examined. PDGF or PDGF plus IGF-I increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation in stromal cells from old rats but to a lesser extent. However, PDGF was equally effective in stimulating osteopontin expression in cells from both adult and old rats. We concluded that PDGF is a potent mitogen but that the response of stromal cells from old rats is impaired. In addition, PDGF stimulates osteopontin expression in stromal cells and this effect is not age dependent.

Aging↗