The synergistic effect of TGF beta and 24,25-(OH)2D3 on resting zone chondrocytes is metabolite-specific and mediated by PKC.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) and 24,25-(OH)2D3 play a major role in chondrocyte maturation during endochondral bone formation. TGF beta and vitamin D metabolites when added separately to resting zone (RC) or growth zone (GC) chondrocyte cultures, activate protein kinase C (PKC). The present study determined whether there is an additive or synergistic effect of vitamin D3 metabolites and TGF beta on alkaline phosphatase and PKC specific activities and whether this effect is cell maturation-dependent. GC and RC chondrocytes were isolated from rat costochondral cartilage and cultured to fourth passage. The cells were incubated with vitamin D3 metabolites and TGF beta alone or in combination, and the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase, as well as the specific activity of PKC, were measured. The addition of 24,25-(OH)2D3 with TGF beta to RC cells caused a synergistic effect on alkaline phosphatase activity; this result was not found if the vitamin D3 metabolite was replaced by 1,25-(OH)2D3. The addition of 1,25-(OH)2D3 or 24,25-(OH)2D3 with TGF beta on GC cells had no synergistic or additive effect. The addition of 24,25-(OH)2D3 and TGF beta for 12 hours caused a synergistic effect on PKC activity; this effect was also observed if TGF beta was added first for 12 hours and 24,25-(OH)2D3 for the last 90 min. However, the addition of 24,25-(OH)2D3 for 90 min followed by the addition of TGF beta for an additional 10.5 hours had no synergistic effect. This study indicates that TGF beta and 24,25-(OH)2D3 have a synergistic effect on chondrocyte differentiation as well as on PKC activity, suggesting that the synergistic effect of 24,25-(OH)2D3 and TGF beta on chondrocyte differentiation may be mediated through activation of PKC. The synergistic effect of 24,25-(OH)2D3 and TGF beta was cell maturation dependent.