[The effects of TGF-beta on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells].

Osteoblast-like cells were isolated from embryonic human calvarium with modified enzyme digestion method. TGF-beta which is believed having biological effects on bone cells was added into the culture medium with separate concentrations. The incorporation of 3H-TdR, 3H-Proline of osteoblast-like cells and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) content of the cells were tested to study the effects of the TGF-beta on the proliferation of osteoblasts. The results showed that TGF-beta increased ALP activity and the synthesis of collagen, and the cell proliferation was inhibited. It affected the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells with the best 1 ng/ml among four concentration of 0.01-10 ng/ml. These findings suggested that function of TGF-beta might be modified by other local growth factors.