Clonal osteoblastic cell lines from p53 null mouse calvariae are immortalized and dependent on bone morphogenetic protein 2 for mature osteoblastic phenotype.

p53 protein regulates cell cycle progression and its absence will result in unlimited cell divisions required for immortalization of cells. Immortalized osteoblastic cell lines were established from p53 null mouse calvariae of normal phenotype. The clonal murine cell lines demonstrated osteoblastic phenotype as exemplified by alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity. They also express bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) mRNA. Addition of recombinant BMP2 to these cells dramatically increased the alkaline phosphatase activity in a dose dependent manner. In the absence of BMP2 these cells do not undergo osteoblastic differentiation. Treatment of these cells with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 stimulated differentiated osteoblast formation, as determined by mineralized nodule formation. Thus, these immortalized cells in culture represent osteoblast progenitors that lack p53 protein and respond to osteogenic stimuli. These cell lines offer a model system to study the role of p53 in osteoblastic differentiation and programmed cell death. Also these cells will be useful in studying the effects of p53 on transcriptional regulation of osteoblast specific gene expression.