Effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor on subconfluent fetal rat calvaria cell cultures: DNA synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity

Bone Miner. 1990 Feb;8(2):145-56. doi: 10.1016/0169-6009(90)90117-x.

Abstract

The effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were examined in subconfluent fetal rat calvaria cell cultures, in the presence of 2% serum. Maximal effect of aFGF and EGF on DNA synthesis measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation was observed after 18 h. aFGF stimulated DNA synthesis by 3.5-fold with an ED50 of 0.75 ng/ml while a 2.3-fold EGF stimulation was recorded with an ED50 of 0.067 ng/ml. 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine staining showed a higher stimulation of proliferation in the scattered cells than in the cell clusters. An 18 h aFGF or EGF treatment decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity by 40 and 23%, respectively, as compared with control cultures. This inhibition was more pronounced after 48 h in the presence of the effectors but no modification of the ALP electrophoretic mobility was observed. These data suggest that aFGF is a less potent mitogen than EGF and a higher inhibitor of ALP activity in fetal rat calvaria cell culture.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA Replication / drug effects*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / pharmacology*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects*
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Skull / cytology
  • Stimulation, Chemical

Substances

  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Alkaline Phosphatase