Ultrasound-induced modifications of cytoskeletal components in osteoblast-like SAOS-2 cells

In clinical and experimental studies an acceleration of fracture healing and increased callus formation induced by low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been demonstrated. The exact molecular mechanisms of ultrasound treatment are still unclear. In this study ultrasound transmitted cytoskeletal and growth rate changes of SAOS‐2 cells were examined. Osteoblast‐like cell lines (SAOS‐2) were treated using low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound. Cytoskeletal changes were analyzed using rhodamine phalloidine for f‐actin staining and indirect immunofluorescence techniques with different monoclonal antibodies against several tubulin modifications. To examine changes of cell number after ultrasound treatment cell counts were done. Significant changes in cytoskeleton structure were detected compared to controls, including an enhancement of stress fiber formation combined with a loss of cell migration after ultrasound application. We further observed that sonication altered the proportion of the more stable microtubules to the more labile microtubule subclass. The labile tyrosinated microtubules appeared highly enhanced, whereas the amount of the more stable acetylated microtubules was remarkably diminished. All these observations were quantified by fluorometric measurements. The centrosomal γ‐tubulin was frequently scattered throughout the cell's cytoplasm, giving rise to additional polyglu‐positive microtubular asters, which induced multipolar spindles, leading either to aneuploid mini‐or giant cells. Moreover, a significant increase of cell number was noticed in the sonicated group. These experiments demonstrate that ultrasound treatment increases cell number and leads to significant changes of the cytoskeletal structure and composition in vitro. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:286–294, 2009