IN-VITRO INDUCTION OF OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION FROM NONOSTEOGENIC MESENCHYMAL CELLS

The process of ectopic bone formation suggests that extraskeletal cell s are capable of osteogenesis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is considered to be an early marker of osteogenic differentiation. This s tudy determined whether cells from the rabbit dermis, striated muscle and extramedullary adipose tissue could undergo osteogenic differentia tion in vitro. The cells were cultured with two osteoregulators, recom binant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) and dexamethasone. Incubation of extramedullary adipose cells with a combination of rhBMP 2 and dexamethasone resulted in an increase in their ALP activity. The results suggest that extramedullary adipocytic cells may undergo oste ogenic differentiation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.