INTRODUCTION: Few studies have tried to discriminate a differential behavior between osteoarthritic (OA) osteoblasts (Obs). Based on osteocalcin level, we aimed, in the present study, to evaluate the capacity of OA Obs for producing molecules of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

METHODS: Human primary OA Obs (n=11) were exposed or not to 50 nM of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (VitD₃) for 24 h. Osteocalcin (OCN), TGF-β1, Dickkopf-related protein 2 (DKK2), R-spondin 2 (Rspo2), Wnt5b, and low density lipoprotein related-receptor 1 (LRP1) were evaluated by real time RT-PCR.

RESULTS: All samples responded to VitD₃ as validated by the increase in OCN expression. However two populations of Obs were discriminated; one called “high responders” whose OCN stimulation was higher than 100 fold (mean 881 fold, p<0.01, n=5) and the second one whose stimulation was inferior to 100 fold (mean 47 fold, p<0.01, n=6), namely “low responders”. In fact, high responders have a weaker basal expression of OCN. With regards to these two cell populations and in absence of VitD₃ challenge, the expression level of TGF-β1 (15 fold, p<0.001), DKK2 (2.5 fold, p<0.002) and Wnt5b (5.5 fold, p<0.003) was higher in “high responders”, meanwhile Rspo2 and LRP1 expression was unchanged. VitD₃ exacerbated this pattern but corrected OCN expression and favored Wnt agonist expression.

CONCLUSION: We identified 2 populations of OA Obs according to the OCN expression under the control of VitD₃. In addition under basal conditions, these 2 populations expressed differently TGF-β1, Wnt5b, DKK2, suggesting a heterogeneous differentiation and phenotype in Obs among OA patients.