Effect of Calcium Ion Concentrations on Osteogenic Differentiation and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche-Related Protein Expression in Osteoblasts

Apatite biomaterials have potential not only as cell vehicles for engineering bone tissue but also as regulators of calcium (Ca) concentration in situ for controlling osteoblast functions, for example, osteogenic differentiation and fate management of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). To design apatite materials having optimal chemical properties for the latter purpose, more detailed investigations into what effect Ca concentrations have on osteoblast functions is crucial. In this study, osteoblasts were cultured at different Ca concentrations, and the temporal alterations in osteogenic differentiation and HSC niche-related protein (angiopoietin-1, 2 [Ang1, 2]) expression were investigated. The different Ca concentrations (1.8-50 mmol/L) in the cell culture medium had no effect on the proliferation of osteoblasts, but did on the cell morphology. The higher Ca concentrations (