Effects of HA released calcium ion on osteoblast differentiation

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a widely used calcium phosphate implant substitute and has dissolution property. Although HA has been shown a beneficial effect on osteoblast differentiation, the exact mechanism is still unclear. In the present study, we proposed that Ca(2+) released from HA activated the expression bone associated proteins, OPN and BSP, mediated by L-type calcium channel and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) 2 which resulted into improved osteoblast differentiation. Results showed that HA elevated ALP expression as well as OPN and BSP expression in MC3T3-E1 cells. The result from western blot of CaMK2 alpha indicated that HA released Ca(2+) activated CaMK2 through L-type calcium channel. Furthermore, upregulation of OPN and BSP mRNA expression was significantly inhibited when blocking both the L-type calcium channel and CaMK2. These findings suggested that HA accelerated the osteoblast differentiation by releasing Ca(2+).