Page 20 - Physico-Chemical Niche Conditions for Bone Cells

General introduction
Mechanical loading does affect cell and nucleus morphology. In order to assess the cell response and function influenced by mechanical loading at different time points, we investigated in Chapter 4 the immediate, initial down-stream, short-term down-stream, and long-term down-stream impact of a short bout of mechanical stimulation by pulsating fluid flow on pre-osteoblasts during or after pulsating fluid flow, and after varying post-incubation times in non-refreshed medium, combined with finite element modeling of fluid dynamics over bone cells.
Mechanical loading affects bone cell shape (e.g. cell and nuclear area and volume, F- actin, paxillin, integrin-a5, and a-tubulin) and function (osteogenesis). Mitochondrial structure has recently been linked to differentiation of several cell types, and is known to be affected by loading in endothelial cells. Mechanical loading may also affect organelle structure in live cells. Therefore, we studied in Chapter 5 the regulation of bone cell mitochondrial structure and dynamics by pulsating fluid flow.
Finally, physical factors affect bone cell shape and function. It is interesting to know the effect of (bio)chemical factors on bone cells without or with physical factors. Arginine- glycine-aspartate (RGD) may improve osteoprogenitor adhesion. Supported lipid bilayers may stimulate osteogenic differentiation of osteoprogenitors. Therefore, we investigated in Chapter 6 the effects of RGD-functionalized supported lipid bilayers on osteoblast adherence and differentiation.
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