Multiple hormonal mechanisms for the control of collagen synthesis in an osteoblast-like cell line, MMB-1.

An isolated osteoblast-like cell line (MMB-1) was used to study the hormonal regulation of collagen synthesis in bone cells. Collagen synthesis was measured by incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible and collagenase-non-digestible proteins after exposure of the cells in culture to varying concentrations of PTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], osteoclast-activating factor, and insulin. Collagen synthesis was inhibited by 10(-10) M 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 3 X 10(-10) M PTH after 9-12 h of treatment. Osteoclast-activating factor at 10(-10) M also inhibited collagen synthesis. Insulin at 10(-8) M increased collagen synthesis without stimulating proline incorporation into noncollagen proteins. No effect on collagen synthesis was observed with 24,25-(OH)2D3. Inhibition of collagen synthesis was also observed when cells were treated with either 3 X 10(-5) M 8-bromo-cAMP or 3 X 10(-5) M (Bu)2cAMP. For all agents tested, the onset of the effects was gradual, with differences from controls beginning at 4-8 h, and maximal effects occurring only after 24 h or more of treatment. The collagen synthesized by these cells remained associated primarily with the cell monolayer and was estimated to be greater than 90% type I collagen. No detectable changes in the type or composition of collagen synthesized were found with any of the hormonal treatments. These studies indicate that the synthesis of collagen in bone cells is under multihormonal control, with both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent mechanisms involved. The MMB-1 cell line offers a suitable model system for studies of the interactions of hormones in the control of bone turnover.