Effect of the water-soluble matrix of nanometer pearl powder on the osteogenic differentiation of hFOB1.19 cells.

Pearl powder, especially its main effective component water-soluble matrix (WSM), can promote bone formation. The present study analyzed the effect of various WSM concentrations on the osteogenic differentiation of hFOB1.19 cells. The WSM of nanometer pearl powder (NPP) was obtained through the water extraction method. hFOB1.19 cells were then cultured with WSM at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 40 µg/ml. Thereafter, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red staining were analyzed to detect the effects of WSM on the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of hFOB1.19 cells. In addition, type I collagen, osteocalcin, osteopontin and Runt-associated transcription factor 2 mRNA and protein expression levels during osteogenic differentiation were measured through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Following WSM treatment, ALP activity, alizarin red staining of mineralized nodules and osteoblast-related protein expression levels were all found to be elevated in hFOB1.19 cells. In conclusion, these results suggested that NPP WSM could promote the differentiation and mineralization of hFOB1.19 cells within the tested concentration range to induce an osteogenic effect.