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Biomedical subjects

M J Somerman

Publications and source records attributed to M J Somerman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Dexamethasone enhances the effects of parathyroid hormone on human periodontal ligament cells in vitro.

Periodontal ligament cells (PDL) are thought to play a major role in promoting periodontal regeneration. Recent studies, focused on characterizing PDL cells, have been directed at establishing their osteoblast-like properties and determining biological mediators and/or factors that induce osteoblastic cell populations in the PDL. The glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex), has been shown to selectively stimulate osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and to induce osteoblastic cell differentiation in many cell systems. In the present study the ability of Dex to modulate parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated cAMP synthesis in cultured human PDL cells was examined. PDL cells, obtained from premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons, were cultured with Dex (0-1000 nM) for 7 days prior to PTH (1-34) stimulation. The exposure of PDL cells to Dex resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cAMP production in response to PTH stimulation. This response was seen in cells obtained from three different patients. The first significant Dex effect was seen on day 7 when compared to day 1 for 100 nM Dex. PTH (1-34) stimulation caused a dose-dependent increase in cAMP synthesis after Dex (1000 nM) treatment for 7 days. Conversely, stimulation of the cells with PTH (7-34) (0-1000 nM) did not increase cAMP production in PDL cells after Dex treatment. Forskolin- (1 microM) and isoproterenol- (1 microM) stimulated cAMP synthesis was not augmented by Dex treatment. Dex treatment did not alter calcitonin-(1 microM) stimulated cAMP production in PDL cells. Glucocorticoid enhancement of PTH-stimulated cAMP synthesis in these cells supports the presence of an osteoblast-like population in the PDL, in vitro.

Cells, Cultured↗

Osteopontin adhesion receptors on gingival fibroblasts.

Osteopontin (OPN) promotes attachment and spreading of cells in an RGD dependent fashion, suggesting that OPN interacts with integrins on cell surfaces. Here in, we show that LM-609, a monoclonal antibody to the alpha v beta 3 integrin (a vitronectin receptor), inhibited OPN-mediated attachment of gingival fibroblasts. To characterize the cell surface receptors responsible for this interaction, we performed OPN-sepharose affinity chromatography using detergent extracts of 35S-methionine or 125I-surface labeled gingival fibroblasts. Proteins bound to the OPN-matrix were eluted with EDTA and subjected to SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. EDTA eluates from both 125I-surface labeled and 35S-methionine labeled extracts demonstrated prominent bands in the 90kDa and 50kDa regions, by both autoradiography and fluorography, respectively. These studies suggest that OPN is associated with other cell surface molecules in addition to alpha v beta 3. Furthermore, these as yet to be characterized proteins, may prove to have a stronger affinity for OPN than alpha v beta 3.

Cell Adhesion↗

Commercially-prepared allograft material has biological activity in vitro.

The well-established finding that implantation of demineralized bone matrix at non-skeletal sites results in formation of cartilage and bone has been attributed to bone morphogenetic proteins/factors. Commercially-available demineralized bone allograft materials are being used currently to reconstruct/regenerate bone. The studies described here focused on establishing biological activity of protein extracts prepared from commercially obtained bone graft material in vitro. Furthermore, the biological activity of these protein extracts in vitro was compared with similar extracts prepared from freshly obtained human bone. Biological activities of bone matrix proteins examined included their ability to promote proliferation, attachment, and migration of gingival fibroblasts using an in vitro system. Guanidine followed by guanidine/EDTA was used to separate bone matrix proteins into proteins associated with soft tissues of bone and proteins retained within the mineral compartment, respectively. Two preparations of each starting material were tested and the biological activity of each preparation was evaluated in triplicate at least three times. Slot blot analysis revealed that commercially-prepared material contained type I collagen; fibronectin; BSP; and BMP-2, 4, and 7. However, the freshly prepared bone extracts appeared to have higher BMP concentrations. The ability of commercial extracts to promote cell proliferation, while significant, was limited and significantly less when compared with similar extracts prepared from freshly obtained bone. All extracts promoted cell attachment significantly, while none of the extracts promoted cell migration. Thus, commercially-prepared material retained proteins having the capacity to influence cell behavior in vivo. However, some biological activity as measured in vitro was lost as a result of tissue processing.

Blotting, Western↗

Role of two mineral-associated adhesion molecules, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein, during cementogenesis.

Adhesion molecules and their cell membrane receptors are known to play important regulatory roles in cell differentiation. Consequently, the following experiments were conducted to determine the role of two adhesion molecules, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) in tooth root formation. Developing murine molar tooth germs at sequential stages of development (developmental days 21-42) were analyzed using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. While BSP was localized to alveolar bone and odontoblasts early in development, BSP was distinctly localized to the cemental root surface at latter periods coincident with the initiation of root formation and cementogenesis. Conversely, OPN was distributed in a nonspecific fashion throughout the PDL and the eruption pathway of the forming tooth. In situ hybridization confirmed that cells lining the root surface express BSP. The fact that BSP is specifically localized to the cemental surface suggests that this protein is involved in cementoblast differentiation and/or early mineralization of the cementum matrix. Localization of OPN to non-mineralized tissues further suggests that OPN functions as an inhibitor of mineralization during periodontal ligament formation. These findings collectively suggest that BSP and OPN are intimately involved in the sequence of cellular and molecular events accompanying cementogenesis.

Alveolar Process↗

Models for the study of cementogenesis.

Cementum is a mineralized tissue that acts to connect the periodontal ligament to the tooth root surface. Its composition is very much like bone, being comprised mainly of type I collagen, inorganic mineral and noncollagenous proteins, however the origin of the cells and factors necessary for cementum formation have yet to be elucidated. Our laboratory has focused on the role that adhesion molecules, and their cell surface receptors, play in the formation of cementum and tooth root. In order to study this, we used a mouse molar as a model system. This system enabled us to study the formation of four distinct mineralized tissues; bone, cementum, dentin and enamel at various stages of their development. For these studies, we initiated experiments to examine potential cementoblast progenitor cells, in vitro. As a first step, we show that dental papilla and dental follicle cells, n vitro, obtained from molar tissues at day 21 of development, induce mineralized nodules, in vitro. In addition, we obtained tissues from mice where defects in root development may exist and determined bone sialoprotein (BSP) protein expression, a mineralized tissue specific adhesion molecule, in such tissues. As discussed here, we found that osteopetrotic (op/op) mice have delayed and/or defective root development and BSP does not localize in the dental tissues, at day 33 of development. In addition, dentin formation was defective and odontoblasts appeared immature, based on morphological examination. In contrast, the day 33 control molars demonstrated positive staining for BSP localized to root cementum, with normal formation of dentin.

Amelogenesis↗

Bone sialoprotein is localized to the root surface during cementogenesis.

Bone sialoprotein (BSP), an RGD-containing protein with cell attachment properties, is believed to play a regulatory role in the biomineralization of various connective tissues. To determine its possible role in tooth root formation, murine dentoalveolar tissues at sequential phases of development were analyzed immunohistochemically for the presence of BSP. BSP was localized to alveolar bone and cementum at time points associated with initial mineralization of these tissues. In addition, northern blot analyses of dental follicle tissue at day 27 of tooth development indicated that BSP mRNA is expressed by dental follicle cells at a time point coincident with the initiation of cementogenesis on the peripheral tooth root surface. Collectively, these findings indicate that BSP may play an important role in the formation and mineralization of cementum.

Animals↗

Cells and materials involved in guided tissue regeneration.

Just over 10 years ago a group of imaginative periodontal researchers reported that tissues lost to the destructive mechanisms of inflammatory periodontal disease could be regenerated either in part or whole by the use of a surgical technique that would become universally known as guided tissue regeneration. Since then, tremendous progress has been made in adapting these early research principles into a clinical treatment modality that is now recognized as a viable component of contemporary periodontal therapy. However, many questions remain as to the mechanisms involved in regenerative tissue formation and how to design surgical procedures and materials to best harness the regenerative capacities of the periodontium. This article reviews current concepts and controversies regarding the biologic basis of periodontal regeneration and biomaterials used in guided tissue regeneration therapy. Pros and cons related to regenerative techniques currently in use are discussed along with future directions in the field of periodontal regeneration.

Extracellular Matrix Proteins↗

Evidence that a non-RGD domain in rat osteopontin is involved in cell attachment.

The bone sialoprotein osteopontin (OPN) promotes cell attachment and spreading through its RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) sequence. To study additional regions of OPN involved in cell attachment, peptides of rat OPN were evaluated for their capacity to mediate cell binding to wells in vitro. Human gingival fibroblasts were incubated on microtiter plates coated with either OPN or OPN peptides. A peptide of M(r) 28 kD, obtained after digestion with endoproteinase Arg-C and isolated by reversed-phase HPLC, enhanced cell attachment to a similar degree as OPN. Sequence analysis showed that the amino terminus of the 28 kD peptide starts at Ser142 and therefore does not contain the RGD cell attachment sequence (residues 128-130). Cell attachment mediated through both OPN and the 28 kD peptide was blocked by the addition of GRGDSPA peptides or LM-609, a monoclonal antibody to the integrin alpha V beta 3, a receptor for vitronectin. A variant peptide, GRG-ESPA, did not alter cell attachment. Based on these observations, we conclude that (1) binding of OPN and the 28 kD peptide to fibroblasts involves binding to alpha V beta 3, (2) a site other than the RGD sequence on OPN is also involved in binding to integrins, and (3) the binding of this second site to alpha V beta 3 is inhibited by RGD-containing peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lead inhibits secretion of osteonectin/SPARC without significantly altering collagen or Hsp47 production in osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells.

In an effort to better understand the consequences of lead (Pb2+) on skeletal growth, the effects of Pb2+ were investigated using ROS 17/2.8 bone-like cells in vitro. These studies revealed that Pb2+ (4.5 x 10(-6) M -4.5 x 10(-7) M) has little or no effect on cell shape except when added immediately following seeding of the cells. However, proliferation of ROS cells was inhibited, in the absence of serum, at concentrations of 4.5 x 10(-6) M Pb2+. Protein production was generally increased, however, the major structural protein of bone, type I collagen, production was only slightly altered. Following treatment of ROS cells with Pb2+, intracellular levels of the calcium-binding protein osteonectin/SPARC were increased. Osteonectin/SPARC secretion into the media was delayed or inhibited. Coincident with retention of osteonectin/SPARC there was a decrease in the levels of osteonectin/SPARC mRNA as determined by Northern analysis. These studies suggest that processes associated with osteonectin/SPARC translation and secretion are sensitive to Pb2+.

Animals↗

Isolation, characterization and immunolocalization of a 53-kDal dentin sialoprotein (DSP).

We isolated a sialic-rich protein from rat dentin extracts and have named it dentin sialoprotein, DSP (formerly called 95K glycoprotein). DSP is rich in aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and serine, but contains no cysteine or phosphate. The 30% carbohydrate content includes about 9% sialic acid and indicates that several N-glycosides and O-glycosides are present. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis gave a M(r) of 52,570. Based on this molecular weight we calculated that DSP contains about 350-amino acids and 75 monosaccharides. With automated Edman degradation the sequence of the first 8-amino acids was shown to be: Ile-Pro-Val-Pro-Gln-Leu-Val-Pro. The initial 3 residues of this sequence are identical to the first 3 in human osteopontin (OPN) and are closely similar to the Leu-Pro-Val sequences of OPN from other species, as well as at the beginning of bone acidic glycoprotein-75 (BAG-75). On Western immunoblots, purified polyclonal antibodies reacted only with DSP in dentin extracts and with none of the proteins from bone. Similarly, immunolocalization experiments showed the presence of DSP in dentin but not in enamel or alveolar bone. Along with immunohistochemical localization data reported elsewhere, these observations suggest that DSP may be an important marker for cells in the odontoblast lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biological requirements for material integration.

The recognition that synthetic devices can provide functional replacements for failed teeth, or for previously edentulous areas, has resulted in increased emphasis being placed on understanding of the interactions between synthetic materials and host tissues in order for the success of these devices to be optimized. A key to achievement of an optimal biological interface between the implant and the surrounding tissue is through an understanding of host response to materials. This article reviews the biological requirements for implant-tissue integration, with specific focus on the role of adhesion molecules and cytokines (growth factors) in this process. Adhesion molecule/cytokine interactions are discussed, and in particular the possible role for osteopontin, an adhesion molecule as well as a cytokine, is considered in wound healing. Finally, the causes of peri-implantitis are discussed, and methods of decontamination are presented. The decontamination methods focus on enhancement of cell adhesion and integration to the altered implant surface.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

Recent investigations on dentin specific proteins.

Several extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have been isolated from dentin and shown to be synthesized by odontoblasts. Highly phosphorylated proteins (HP), the phosphophoryns, are specifically found in dentin and are synthesized only by odontoblasts. Phosphophoryns are probably involved in controlling the site and/or the rate of circumpulpal mineralization. Other moderately phosphorylated (MP) and low phosphorylated (LP) proteins have also been detected in dentin, but have not been studied extensively. A 53 kDal dentin sialoprotein (DSP) that resembles bone sialoproteins is expressed by odontoblasts and by pulp cells, but essentially by no other cell type. The function of this protein is unknown. Osteocalcin (bone Gla protein) is synthesized by osteoblasts and by odontoblasts and found in the ECM of bone and dentin. Other tissues or cells (including pulp) do not express osteocalcin. The highly specific nature of these dentin and bone ECM proteins suggests that antibody and molecular probes for the phosphoproteins, DSP and osteocalcin could be valuable in studies on the differentiation and identification of odontoblasts and their precursors. Other bone NCPs shown to be present in dentin may also prove to be important in dentinogenesis.

Dentin↗

Mineral-associated adhesion proteins are linked to root formation.

There is a general agreement that the extracellular environment plays a critical role in controlling cell behavior. Thus, significant research efforts have focused on understanding the effects of extracellular matrix proteins on cell function. In particular we have focused on determining the role of adhesion proteins in the regulation of root formation. Using an OPN antibody, 2arN (generously provided by Drs Craig and Denhardt), the expression of OPN during root formation was determined. OPN (osteopontin) is a bone-associated adhesion protein. OPN was expressed in the dental follicle region of molars obtained from 3 day old CD-1 mice, but was not expressed in the odontoblast layer. In contrast by day 8, positive staining was noted in the odontoblast layer, as well as in the area of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath. However, at this same time point no positive labeling for 2arN was observed in the enamel organ or in the dental papillae cells. By day 15 positive staining for OPN was seen in the area of the periodontal ligament, as well as the region of primary deposition of extracellular matrix onto dentin. Also determined was the ability of fibronectin, OPN and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) to promote the attachment of dental ectomesenchymal cells, in vitro. Interestingly, these cells attached remarkable well on bacteriological dishes (control) in the absence of an adhesion protein. DSP did not increase cell attachment beyond that observed for control cells. In contrast, both fibronectin and OPN enhanced cell attachment. These studies, while preliminary indicate that OPN is expressed in a unique fashion during root development, thus suggesting a regulatory role for such adhesion proteins during root formation.

Animals↗

Diverse forms of stress result in changes in cellular levels of osteonectin/SPARC without altering mRNA levels in osteoligament cells.

The osteonectin/SPARC gene has been shown to possess motifs for a heat shock element and metal responsiveness. Also, the expression of the protein has been associated with culture stress in endothelial cells. In the present study, osteoligament (OL) cells derived from the patellar ligament were subjected to diverse forms of stress that included (a) exposure to sodium arsenite, (b) heat shock, (c) cadmium ion, and (d) the amino acid analog, AZC. Osteonectin/SPARC levels in OL cells were determined by Western blot analyses, and immunoprecipitation using antiosteonectin antibodies. Expression of osteonectin/SPARC mRNA was determined by Northern analysis using a 1.5 kb EcoRI restriction fragment of bovine osteonectin cDNA. These studies reveal that osteonectin/SPARC is produced following diverse forms of stress, however, the levels are lower than observed in unchallenged OL cells. In all instances, the mRNA levels were comparable to control cells. These studies indicate that expression of osteonectin/SPARC mRNA is tightly controlled in OL cells and that the protein may be regulated at the level of protein translation.

Animals↗

Cell attachment activity of cementum: bone sialoprotein II identified in cementum.

Considerable research effort has been directed at preparing root surfaces in a fashion that would promote cell attachment leading to periodontal regeneration; however, no methods have proven to be clinically predictable. Identification of attachment protein(s) associated with the root surface matrix of cementum may prove valuable for developing effective clinical treatments. In this study cementum proteins were extracted from bovine and human teeth by sequential chaotropic extraction using guanidine followed by guanidine/EDTA. The guanidine/EDTA extract, but not guanidine extract, was found to promote attachment of fibroblasts. This attachment activity was inhibitable with synthetic peptide containing the attachment sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD). Fractionation of the guanidine/EDTA extract revealed several fractions with attachment activity. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that two of these fractions contain the bone-associated RGD containing attachment protein, bone sialoprotein-II (BSP-II). In addition, attachment activity was also noted in other fractions that could not be attributed to BSP-II or fibronectin. These studies indicate that a component of the attachment activity of cementum is likely to be due to BSP-II and that cementum contains additional, as yet undetermined, attachment proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Physiology of bone: mineral compartment proteins as candidates for environmental perturbation by lead.

Termine et al. first demonstrated that sequential dissociative extraction and fractionation procedures with protease inhibitors could provide a convenient approach for the study of mineral compartment constituents. The primary extraction regimen used 4 M guanidine HCl to remove most of the protein from the nonmineralized phase of bone. Subsequently, EDTA-guanidine was used to remove the mineral-phase components. These methods discriminate on the basis of physical-chemical association with a mineral phase rather than on the specific gene products of a particular cell. In the present discussion emphasis is directed at a group of divalent cation binding proteins isolated from the mineral compartment of bone. The localization, synthesis, and chemical characteristics of osteonectin, bone sialoproteins I and II, and bone acidic glycoprotein-75 are discussed and offered as possible sites for perturbation by the environment with lead exposure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗