Differential effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on mineralisation and differentiation in two different types of osteoblast-like cultures.

In osteoblast cultures, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) has been shown to play either catabolic or anabolic roles on differentiation and mineralisation. We have employed osteoblast-like cells extracted from neonatal mouse calvariae and cells derived from juvenile mouse long bones to compare the biological effects of 1,25D on differentiation and mineralisation in vitro. 1,25D exerts differential effects on osteoblast-like cells depending on their stage of maturation and possibly their skeletal origin. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.