Effect of different growth factors on human cultured osteoblast-like cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells are regulated by complex interactions among systemic hormones, cytokines, and local growth factors. The success of oral rehabilitation using biomaterial implants depends on the growth of osteoblasts and their adhesivity to the surface of the implant. The study aimed to investigate the effect of different growth factors on the proliferation and adhesivity of human osteoblast-like cells in vitro. METHODS The effects of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the growth and adhesivity of human osteoblast-like cells in monolayer culture were studied. Their growth was measured by (3)H-thymidine incorporation and their adhesivity by flow cytometry. RESULTS Incorporation of (3)H-thymidine was increased by all growth factors. The effect did not appear to be dose dependent. No synergic effect was found between TGFbeta1 and FGF. Treatment with TGFbeta1 or FGF increased cell adhesivity by shortening the time needed for cell adhesion to the culture dish surface and hydroxyapatite-coated implants. IL-2 did not modify cell adhesivity. CONCLUSIONS Growth factors can modulate cell proliferation and adhesivity, which may help to increase the success of implantation therapy.