Evaluation of pre-osteoblastic cell line behaviors under low shear stress conditions

Abstract

The bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous remodeling through the activities of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes, influenced by mechanical stimuli via mechano-transduction. While relatively high shear stress levels (>1 Pa) have been extensively studied for their positive effects on pre-osteoblast and osteoblast cells' function, the influence of relatively low shear stress (<1 Pa) remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the effects of low shear stress (0.01 Pa and 0.1 Pa) on the pre-osteoblastic cell line's behaviors using a specially designed shear stress generating microchannel system. First of all, numerical analysis was conducted to optimize microchannel parameters for generating the desired shear stress levels, leading to the design of a microchannel that ensures sufficient internal volume for cell viability. The results from CCK-8 and ALP activity assays demonstrated that low shear stresses significantly enhanced pre-osteoblast proliferation while inhibiting differentiation to osteoblasts over time. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and SEM imaging revealed that pre-osteoblastic cell lines exposed to low shear stress exhibited a contracted morphology and increased alignment, suggesting that shear stress promotes proliferation by facilitating mitotic rounding. These findings underscore the importance of low shear stress in pre-osteoblast behavior, providing valuable insights for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies aimed at mimicking physiological interstitial fluid flow.

Graphical abstract: Evaluation of pre-osteoblastic cell line behaviors under low shear stress conditions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Nov 2024
Accepted
02 Apr 2025
First published
16 Apr 2025

Lab Chip, 2025, Advance Article

Evaluation of pre-osteoblastic cell line behaviors under low shear stress conditions

N. Kang, E. C. Kim, S. Yu, H. J. U, Y. M. Kim, G. Y. Baek, Y. Cho and H. W. Kim, Lab Chip, 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4LC00917G

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