Prostaglandin D2 stimulates calcification of human osteoblastic cells.

Studies on prostaglandin (PG) regulation of bone formation and resorption metabolism have been complicated by the heterogeneity of the tissue, which involves the interaction between and the activities of two bone cell types, osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In a simplified assay system using a cultured human osteoblastic cell line which has the capacity to form calcified tissue, we determined the effects of PGs on calcification. Of the PGs tested, PGD2 has a remarkable stimulatory activity on osteoblast calcification, but that the effective form is probably a metabolite, delta 12-PGJ2. This calcification function is not cAMP-mediated. PGD2 acts directly on osteoblast to cause stimulation of calcification.