Bone Abstracts

Delta-like 1/fetal antigen-1 (DLK1/FA1) is a negative regulator of bone mass in vivo as it inhibits osteoblast (OB) and stimulates osteoclast differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are not known. Thus, we studied the effect of DLK1/FA1 on different signaling pathways known to regulate OB differentiation. We identified DLK1/FA1 as an inhibitor of BMP2-induced OB differentiation. Stable overexpression of DLK1/FA1 in C2C12 cells or th...

see P146....

Identifying novel approaches for enhancing osteoblast (OB) differentiation of human skeletal (mesenchymal) stem cells (hMSC) can lead to development of novel anabolic agents required for efficient bone formation. Transforming growth factor-βs (TGF-β1, 2, 3) are one of the most abundant growth factors in bone and play a key role in regulating bone remodeling. Canonical TGF-β signaling inhibits, whereas components of the non-canonical TGF-β signaling (e.g. Ak...

see PP175....

Identifying novel molecules that enhance human skeletal (mesenchymal) stem cells (hMSC) differentiation into osteoblastic bone forming cells (OB), may lead to development of new bone anabolic drugs. We have identified Kix, a small molecule kinase inhibitor that enhanced ex vivo OB differentiation and reduced apoptosis of hMSC. We found that Kix targeted undifferentiated hMSC populations and not their differentiated progeny. In addition, Kix increased in vivo ...

see PP149....

The molecular mechanisms underlying telomere shortening and telomerase deficiency contributing to defective age-related bone formation are poorly studied. We have previously demonstrated the role of telomerase re-activation in enhancing osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated further the signaling pathways underlying the regulatory function of telomerase in osteogenesis. Comparative microarray analysis of telomerase-ove...