Losartan alters osteoblast differentiation and increases bone mass through inhibition of TGF signalling in vitro and in an OIM mouse model.

Excessive production of Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) is commonly associated with dominant and recessive forms of OI. Previous reports have indicated that administration of TGFβ-targeted antibodies maybe of potential therapeutic benefit to OI patients. However, direct targeting of TGFβ is likely to cause multiple adverse effects including simulation of autoimmunity.

Early life vitamin D depletion and mechanical loading determine methylation changes in the RUNX2, RXRA, and osterix promoters in mice.

Background: Early life vitamin D exposure is linked to later skeletal health with maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy associated with neonatal bone mass. The MAVIDOS study has demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation leads to reduced RXRA DNA methylation. Mice exposed to early life vitamin D deficiency have reduced bone mass and bone accrual in response to mechanical loading.

Attachment of human marrow stromal cells to titanium surfaces.

The attachment of human bone marrow stromal cells to titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) surfaces was investigated. Titanium disks were polished and modified by surface roughening and by passivation in nitric add. Cell attachment to titanium surfaces and tissue culture plastic (TCP) was determined by tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after seeding.