Impact of the uremic milieu on the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells

PLoS One. 2015 Jan 30;10(1):e0116468. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116468. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), the precursors of osteoblasts during osteogenesis, play a role in the balance of bone formation and resorption, but their functioning in uremia has not been well defined. To study the effects of the uremic milieu on osteogenic properties, we applied an in vitro assay culturing hMSCs in osteogenic medium supplemented with serum from healthy donors and from uremic patients on hemodialysis. Compared to control, serum from uremic patients induces, in hMSC cultures, a modification of several key regulators of bone remodeling, in particular a reduction of the ratio Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa B Receptor (RANKL) over osteoprotegerin, indicating an adaptive response of the system to favor osteogenesis over osteoclastosis. However, the levels of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and collagen type I, are increased in cell medium, while BMP-2, and alizarin red staining were decreased, pointing to a reduction of bone formation favoring resorption. Selected uremic toxins, such as p-cresylsulfate, p-cresylglucuronide, parathyroid hormone, indoxyl sulfate, asymmetric dimethylarginine, homocysteine, were able to mimic some of the effects of whole serum from uremic patients. Serum from cinacalcet-treated patients antagonizes these effects. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donors as well as hemodialysis treatment are able to induce beneficial effects. In conclusion, bone modifications in uremia are influenced by the capability of the uremic milieu to alter hMSC osteogenic differentiation. Cinacalcet, H2S donors and a hemodialysis session can ameliorate the hampered calcium deposition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Microenvironment* / drug effects
  • Cinacalcet / pharmacology
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Culture Media
  • Female
  • Hemofiltration
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Osteocalcin / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis* / drug effects
  • Osteopontin / metabolism
  • Osteoprotegerin / metabolism
  • RANK Ligand / metabolism
  • Solubility
  • Uremia / blood
  • Uremia / pathology*

Substances

  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Collagen Type I
  • Culture Media
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • RANK Ligand
  • Osteocalcin
  • Osteopontin
  • Cinacalcet

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN), http://www.sin-italy.org, GRANT “Ricercando 2011” to AFP. Project name: “Exploring the osteogenic properties of mesenchymal stem cells for bone structural –functional repair in hemodialysis patients: role of uremic toxins.” The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.