Summary
An organ culture system has been developed whereby mechanical stress can be applied to cranial sutures under controlled experimental conditions.
The application of a continuous tensile mechanical stress (30 g) to cranial sutures from newborn rabbits (1–2 days) was accompanied by a significant increase in the incorporation of3H-leucine and3H-proline into suture protein. The specific activities of3H-hydroxyproline indicated that mechanical stress produced a two-fold increase in the incorporation of3H-proline into collagen. However, the proportion of the total radioactivity recoverable in collagen (45.63±2.33% for nonstressed; 40.58±2.17% for stressed sutures) was not significantly different. These data suggest that the increase in collagen synthesis occurs as part of a general stimulation of protein synthesis, and do not support the view that mechanical stress is the principal mechanism regulating the turnover of collagen in fibrous joints.
These initial studies demonstrate that an in vitro experimental model has considerable potential for investigating the morphological and metabolic response of fibrous joints to mechanical deformation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Moffett, B.C.: Remodelling of the craniofacial articulations by various orthodontic appliances in Rhesus monkeys, Trans. Eur. Orth. Soc. 207–216, 1971
Moffett, B.C.: Remodelling of the craniofacial skeleton produced by orthodontic forces. In: Symposia of the Fourth International Congress of Primatology, Vol. 3. pp. 180–190. S. Karger, Basel, 1973
Moss, M.L.: Experimental alteration of sutural area morphology, Anat. Rec.127:569–589, 1957
Prahl, B.: Sutural growth: investigations on the growth mechanism of the coronal suture and its relation to cranial growth in the rat. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 1968
Smith, H.G., McKeown, M.: Experimental alteration of the coronal sutural area: a histological and quantitative microscopic assessment, J. Anat.118:543–560, 1974
Koskinen, L.: Adaptive sutures. Changes after unilateral masticatory muscle resection in rats. A microscopic study. Doctoral dissertation, University of Turku, Finland, 1977
Reynolds, J.J.: Organ cultures of bone: studies on the physiology and pathology of resorption. In M. Balls, M. Monnickendam (eds.): Organ Culture in Biomedical Research, pp. 355–366. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1976
Hall, T.C., Cocking, E.C.: High efficiency liquid scintillation counting of14C-labelled materials in aqueous solution and determination of specific activity of labelled proteins, Biochem. J.96:626–633, 1965
Lowry, O., Rosebrough, N., Farr, A.L., Randell, R.: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent, J. Biol. Chem.193:265–275, 1951
Burleigh, M.C., Barrett, A.J., Lazarus, G.S.: Cathepsin B. A lysosomal enzyme that degrades native collagen, Biochem. J.137:387–398, 1974
Biggers, J.D.: Cartilage and bone. In E.N. Willmer (ed.): Cells and Tissues in Culture, Vol. 2, pp. 197–260. Academic Press, London, 1965
Melcher, A.H., Turnbull, R.S.: Organ culture in studies of the periodontinum. In M. Balls, M. Monnickendam (eds.): Organ Culture in Biomedical Research, pp. 149–163. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1976
Reynolds, J.J., Dingle, J.T.: A sensitive in vitro method for studying induction and inhibition of bone resorption, Calcif. Tissue Res.4:339–349, 1970
Reynolds, J.J.: Skeletal tissue in culture. In G.H. Bourne (ed.): The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone, 2nd Ed., pp. 69–126. Academic Press, New York, 1972
Leung, D.V.M., Glagov, S., Mathews, M.B.: Cyclic stretching stimulates synthesis of matrix components by arterial smooth muscle cells in vitro, Science191:475–477, 1976
Leung, D.V.M., Glagov, S., Mathews, M.B.: A new in vitro system for studying cell response to mechanical stimulation. Different effects of cyclic stretching and agitation on smooth muscle cell biosynthesis, Exp. Cell Res.109:285–298, 1977
Bassett, C.A.L.: Biological significance of piezoelectricity, Calcif. Tissue Res.1:252–272, 1968
Malinin, G.I., Gregory, W.D., Morelli, L., Sharma, V.K., Houck, J.C.: Evidence of morphological and physiological transformation of mammalian cells by strong magnetic fields, Science194:844–846, 1976
Rodan, G.A., Bourret, L.A., Harvey, A., Mensi, T.: 3′5′-Cyclic AMP and 3′5′-cyclic GMP: Mediators of the mechanical effects on bone remodelling, Science189:467–469, 1975
Bourret, L.A., Rodan, G.A.: The role of calcium in the inhibition of cAMP accumulation in epiphyseal cartilage cells exposed to physiological pressure, J. Cell Physiol.88:353–362, 1976
Harell, A., Dekel, S., Binderman, I.: Biochemical effect of mechanical stress on cultured bone cells, Calcif. Tissue Res.22:202–207, 1977
Hang, S.L., Polsky-Cynkin, R., Levine, L.: Stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by vasoactive substances in methylcholanthrene-transformed mouse BALB/3T3, J. Biol. Chem.251:776–780, 1976
Page, R.C., Ammons, W.F.: Collagen turnover in gingiva and other mature connective tissues of the marmoset, Arch. Oral Biol.19:651–658, 1974
Sodek, J.: A new approach to assessing collagen assay by using a micro-assay. A highly efficient and rapid turnover of collagen in rat periodontal tissues, Biochem. J.160:243–246, 1976
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meikle, M.C., Reynolds, J.J., Sellers, A. et al. Rabbit cranial sutures in vitro: A new experimental model for studying the response of fibrous joints to mechanical stress. Calcif Tissue Int 28, 137–144 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02441232
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02441232