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Four-Point Bending Protocols to Study the Effects of Dynamic Strain in Osteoblastic Cells In Vitro

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Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1226))

Abstract

Strain engendered within bone tissue by mechanical loading of the skeleton is a major influence on the processes of bone modeling and remodeling and so a critical determinant of bone mass and architecture. The cells best placed to respond to strain in bone tissue are the resident osteocytes and osteoblasts. To address the mechanisms of strain-related responses in osteoblast-like cells, our group uses both in vivo and in vitro approaches, including a system of four-point bending of the substrate on which cells are cultured. A range of cell lines can be studied using this system but we routinely compare their responses to those in primary cultures of osteoblast-like cells derived from explants of mouse long bones. These cells show a range of well-characterized responses to physiological levels of strain, including increased proliferation, which in vivo is a feature of the osteogenic response.

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Acknowledgements

Much of the work described here was funded by the Wellcome Trust (to J.S.P.) and a Veterinary Intercalated Training Fellowship also from the Wellcome Trust (to G.L.G.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Southwell Str, Bristol, BS2 8EJ, UK

    Gabriel L. Galea & Joanna S. Price Ph.D., M.R.C.V.S.

Authors
  1. Gabriel L. Galea
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  2. Joanna S. Price Ph.D., M.R.C.V.S.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanna S. Price Ph.D., M.R.C.V.S. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Jennifer J. Westendorf

  2. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Andre J. van Wijnen

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Galea, G.L., Price, J.S. (2015). Four-Point Bending Protocols to Study the Effects of Dynamic Strain in Osteoblastic Cells In Vitro. In: Westendorf, J., van Wijnen, A. (eds) Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1226. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1619-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1619-1_10

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1618-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1619-1

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