Tissue engineering of bone: the role of osteoblasts in osteogenesis and peri-implant bone healing

Osteoblasts are cells of mesenchymal origin, which rebuild resorbed bone by synthesizing bone matrix proteins and by inducing bone matrix mineralization. Osteoblasts play a crucial role in creating and maintenance of healthy bone architecture, bone repair, and peri-implant bone healing (osseointegration). These bone-forming cells are also involved in regulation of osteoclasts function, and hence bone resorption in osteoclastogenesis process. We have presented our own studies on the subsequent stages of differentiation of Human Bone-Derived Cells (HBDCs) that could be a good candidate as an autogenous source for reconstruction and rebuilding of own patient's bone using tissue engineering methods. In this review we discussed the biology of osteoblasts, compared with the HBDCs cultures, under the influence of growth factors (FGF-2, TGF-ß, IGF, PDGF) and hormones (PTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, leptin). Our review is also focused on the participation of intercellular adhesion proteins (cadherins, claudins, connexin, 'OsteoMacs'), transcription factors (Cbfal, Msx-2, Osx, ATF4), and others molecules (RANKL, OPG, BMP2, lactofferin, PPARY) in modulating osteoblasts functions on the basis of current reports, throwing new light on the involvement of osteoblasts during osteogenesis and peri-implant bone healing.