Functional gap junctions between osteocytic and osteoblastic cells

Morphological evidence shows that osteocytes, bone cells that exist enclosed within bone matrix, are connected to one another and to surface osteoblasts via gap junctions; however, it is unknown whether these gap junctions are functional. Using a newly established murine osteocytic cell line MLO-Y4, we have examined functional gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between osteocytic cells and between osteocytic and osteoblastic cells. In our hands, MLO-Y4 cells express phenotypic characteristics of osteocytic cells including a stellate morphology, low alkaline phosphatase activity, and increased osteocalcin messenger RNA (mRNA) compared with osteoblastic cells. Northern and Western blot analysis revealed that MLO-Y4 cells express abundant connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein, respectively. Lucifer yellow dye transferred from injected to adjacent cells suggesting that osteocytic cells were functionally coupled via gap junctions. Functional GJIC between osteocytic and osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) cells was determined by monitoring the passage of calcein dye between the two cell types using a double labeling technique. The ability of bone cells to communicate a mechanical signal was assessed by mechanically deforming the cell membrane of single MLO-Y4 cells, cocultured with MC3T3-E1 cells. Deformation induced calcium signals in MLO-Y4 cells and those elicited in neighboring MC3T3-E1 cells were monitored with the calcium sensitive dye Fura-2. Our results suggest that osteocytic MLO-Y4 cells express functional gap junctions most likely composed of Cx43. Furthermore, osteocytic and osteoblastic cells are functionally coupled to one another via gap junctions as shown by the ability of calcein to pass between cells and the ability of cells to communicate a mechanically induced calcium response.