Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The specific effects of interferon alpha (IFNalpha), on the differentiation pathways of human osteogenic cells are not known. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of IFNalpha on osteogenic development by investigating cell differentiation, colony formation (colony forming unit-fibroblastic, CFU-F), cell proliferation, and gene expression, in particular bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) expression, of human bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells. Human bone marrow fibroblasts were cultured with or without the addition of IFNalpha (5-1,000 IU/ml) in the presence and absence of dexamethasone (10 nM) and ascorbate (100 microM), which are agents known to affect osteogenic differentiation. IFNalpha produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase specific activity at concentrations as low as 50 IU/ml. IFNalpha (50-1,000 IU/ml) inhibited the stimulation of alkaline phosphatase specific activity induced by ascorbate and dexamethasone. Examination of CFU-F showed dose- and time-dependent inhibitions of colony formation and reductions in both colony size and alkaline phosphatase-positive CFU-F colonies particularly at earlier times. Reactivity with an antibody specific for osteoprogenitors (HOP-26), was reduced in IFNalpha-treated cultures. Northern blot analysis showed a significant dose-dependent up-regulation of BMP-2 mRNA, estrogen receptor alpha mRNA and osteocalcin mRNA expression in ascorbate/dexamethasone cultures. In contrast, IFNalpha significantly inhibited BMP-2 mRNA expression in the absence of ascorbate and dexamethasone. In conclusion, IFNalpha inhibits human osteoprogenitor cell proliferation, CFU- F formation, HOP-26 expression, and alkaline phosphatase specific activity and modulates BMP-2 gene expression. These results suggest a role for IFNalpha in local bone turnover through the specific and direct modulation of osteoprogenitor proliferation and differentiation.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J cell biochem

Publication Date

01/09/1999

Volume

74

Pages

372 - 385

Keywords

Alkaline Phosphatase, Biomarkers, Bone Marrow, Cell Count, Cell Differentiation, Cell Division, Cells, Cultured, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Fibroblasts, Humans, Interferon-alpha, Osteocalcin, Stem Cells, Time Factors