Osteogenic potential of cells derived from nasal septum

Abstract

Background: The research addressed to detect new molecular targets in the development of therapeutic strategies aimed to repair bone tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the potential osteogenic activity of bone cells from the nasal septum and their use to perform accurate molecular analysis from a single sample. Methodology: The cells, after nasal septum surgery, were subjected to gene silencing, Reverse Transcriptase - Polymerase Chain reactions, immunocytochemistry and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results: Cells from the nasal septum can give rise to mature osteoblasts that express osteogenic markers (ALP, Runx2, Slug) and are able to mineralize. We demonstrated that Runx2, a transcription factor critical in early osteospecific differentiation, interacts in vivo with the promoter of the SLUG gene, a marker of osteoblast maturation. Conclusions: We demonstrated that nasal septum-derived osteoblasts represent an interesting alternative source for bone forming cells, and a promising material to be utilized in bone cellular therapy.