Three-dimensional cultures of normal human osteoblasts: proliferation and differentiation potential in vitro and upon ectopic implantation in nude mice

Pellet culture model for human primary osteoblasts

“…ECM and mineralize this matrix over a prolonged time of culture and the right medium supplementation (Kale et al, 2000;Ferrera et al, 2002). Kale et al (2000) have further demonstrated that the addition of TGFβ 1 is beneficial to the formation of 3D spheroids (Kale et al, 2000).…”

“…Kale et al (2000) demonstrated that loosely seeded osteoblast suspensions can progress in the presence of TGFβ 1 to form spheroids of variable sizes within 24 h to 48 h of culture (Kale et al, 2000). Very elegantly, a more recent study showed the possibility of folding an existing monolayer culture of hOBs in the presence of mineralization medium lead to the formation of irregularly-shaped 3D aggregates (Ferrera et al, 2002).…”

Three-Dimensional Aggregates of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Cellular Mechanisms, Biological Properties, and Applications

“…144 Moreover, the time for osteogenic priming was inversely related to the cell outgrowth from the aggregate. 145,146 In vivo studies in rabbits showed that aggregates of MSCs could adhere promptly on the osteochondral defects by surface tension and stay without any loss, improving cartilage regeneration. 22 Aggregate composites of chondrocytes and synovium-derived MSCs were injected to the osteochondral defects in a rabbit model, and effective restoration of articular cartilage and in vivo ECM production were observed.…”

Enhanced osteoblastogenesis in three-dimensional collagen gels

“…7 In addition, osteocyte-like cells developed in a different 3D system, where primary human osteoblasts grown in monolayers were mechanically folded and formed collapsed 3D structures, in which mineralized matrix and osteocyte-like cells with elongated cell process were visualized after 47 days. 16 Human primary osteoblasts were also cultured for 60 days on 3D dense scaffolds made of 40 mg ml À 1 collagen, which provide a surface that resembles the osteoid. Transmission electron microscopy was used to demonstrate cell-cell interactions through tight junctions, but, although cytoplasmic extensions were shown to penetrate the dense collagen matrix, the cells themselves were aligned on top of the surface and did not penetrate the matrix.…”