Establishment and Characterisation of a Canine Osteoblastic Cell Line |Biomedgrid

Normal canine osteoblast cultures are important in experimental studies for comparisons with osteosarcomas and their responses to test therapies. Although canine osteosarcoma cells are available commercially, normal canine osteoblastic cultures are scarce. Osteoblasts are the main cells present in bones that are responsible for the synthesis of the organic matrix during bone formation, regeneration, healing and remodelling. The purpose of this study was to establish and characterise a canine osteoblast cell line, named COBS. Cells were harvested from a bone callus of a 10-month-old German Spitz female dog. Cells were cultivated in a complete medium specific for canine osteoblast growth. Cells underwent seven cycles of culturing to establish a cell lineage. COBS cells were characterised using cytogenetic analysis and immunofluorescence with osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase, and SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine; also known as osteonectin). Results confirmed that the cells had 78 chromosomes and expressed the osteoblast biomarkers. COBS cells are now available and can be used as controls in anticancer research.