Scientists from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have discovered a way that cleverly encourages stem cells to become bone cells. The process could be particularly beneficial for older people who have broken a bone, because their bodies typically generate new bone very slowly.

The researchers used a naturally occurring substance called cytochalasin D to alter the gene expression of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and make them become osteoblasts (bone cells).  Cytochalasin D is an alkaloid produced by Helminthosporium and other moulds — a completely natural substance.

Researchers also discovered that injection a small amount of cytochalasin D into the bone marrow of mice caused new bone to form. This breakthrough could help treat a number of diseases which affect the bones. The research was recently published in the journal Stem Cells.

Senior author of the paper, Janet Rubin, M.D,  says that the effect of cytochalasin D is obvious, saying: “the bone forms quickly, the data and images are so clear; you don’t have to be a bone biologist to see what cytochalasin D does in one week in a mouse.”

Dr Rubin suggests that cytochalasin D could be very useful for “jump starting” bone development in patients. Unfortunately, the technique will not address osteoarthritis, which involves bone loss throughout the body.

The basis for the discovery is a protein called actin. Actin forms fibres that run through the cytoplasm of cells and the cell’s cytoskeleton. Cells like osteoblasts have a lot of cytoskeleton, making them hard and durable cells, capable of forming bones.

The researchers were testing cytochalasin D with the hopes that it could break up the cytoskeleton, which should have made it impossible for the stem cells to become bone cells. Instead the opposite happened! The actin was pushed into the centre of the stem cells and the stem cells differentiated into osteoblasts.

The scientists were amazed by the discovery, which was the reverse of what they had expected. They realised that when the actin is pushed into the centre of the stem cell by the cytochalasin D, it enhances the stem cell’s gene expression in a way that makes it become an osteoblast — forcing stem cells to become bone cells. This incredible discovery has many potential applications.

Source: Researchers Find New Way to Force Stem Cells to Become Bone Cells

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