Differential effect of transforming growth factor beta on freshly isolated and cultured articular chondrocytes
van der Kraan, P.; Vitters, E.; van den Berg, W.
Journal of Rheumatology 19(1): 140-145
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 1556677 Document Number: 388101
Transforming growth factor .beta. (TGF.beta.) is a multipotent regulator of cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis. In our study we show that the effect of TGF.beta. on proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis of articular cartilage chondrocytes appears to be dependent on the period in culture of these chondrocytes. TGF.beta. inhibits DNA and proteoglycan synthesis of freshly isolated chondrocytes while the DNA and proteoglycan synthesis of chondrocytes cultured in monolayer was stimulated by TGF.beta. Since TGF.beta. is present in high concentrations in synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis, TGF.beta. might play a role in the elevated proteoglycan synthesis and cell proliferation in osteoarthritic cartilage.