Different Effects of Heterodimeric BMP-2/7 on Human and Murine Cells

Objectives: Roles of heterodimeric bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells remains ambiguous. In this study, we evaluated the functional characteristics of BMPs of different dimerization types, with the aim of determining the different osteoinductive effects of heterodimeric BMP-2/7 on the osteogenesis of human and murine cells in vitro.
Methods: Firstly, we cultured the human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) and murine preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cell line in vitro. Then, we explored the osteoinductive effects of three different BMPs (BMP-2, BMP-7, and BMP-2/7) on two cell types by using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity assay, alizarin red staining and mineralization assay, osteocalcin (OC) secretion, and real-time PCR, respectively.
Results: BMPs could significantly enhance the osteogenesis of both human and murine cells in vitro. Compared with BMP-2 and BMP-7, heterodimeric BMP-2/7 shows the higher osteoinductive potency on MC3T3-E1 cell. However, there were no significant differences in hASC osteogenic induction between heterodimeric and homodimeric BMPs.
Conclusions: The osteoinductive effects of heterodimeric BMP-2/7 exhibited the cell-specific pattern. Caution should be taken when applying heterodimeric BMP-2/7 to cells.