[Surface morphology of osteogenic cell].

Abstract

In order to clear the relation between cell activity and morphology of their microvilli (MV), osteogenic MC3T3E-1 cells were cultured on plastic cover slips. Those cells have the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts and mineralize in vitro. Histochemically, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) positive cells appeared with ALP staining at 4 days, and they increased gradually day by day. However ALP activity advanced rapidly in the culture adding dexamethasone (Dex) into the medium from 6 to 12 days culture. In scanning electron microscopic study, MV were observed on the surface of irregularly-shaped spread cells from 4 to 12 days. At the early stage, MV showed like fine filaments. Concentration, width and length of MV increased gradually with cultivation. On day 12, the long MV with a few particles were observed to some degree. In the presence of Dex, concentration and length of MV were much better than in the absence of Dex. Furthermore MV with many particles were seen more frequently. These results demonstrate that development of MV have close connection with differentiation of the cells.