Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), an abundant growth factor in bone matrix, has been shown to be involved in bone formation and fracture healing. The mechanism of action of the osteogenic effect of TGF-β1 is not clearly understood. In this study, we found that the addition of TGF-β1 to murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA production. VEGF mRNA levels reached a plateau within 2 h after the addition of TGF-β1. The induction was superinduced by cycloheximide and blocked by actinomycin D. Ro 31-8220, a protein kinase C inhibitor, abrogated the induction. In addition, curcumin, an inhibitor for transcription factor AP-1, also blocked the induction. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed an enhanced binding of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB. Transient transfection experiment showed that VEGF promoter activity increased 3.6-fold upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Immunoblot analysis showed that the amount of secreted VEGF was elevated in the medium 4 h after TGF-β1 stimulation. Our results therefore suggest that at least part of the osteogenic activity of TGF-β1 may be attributed to the production of VEGF.

Este estudo in vitro teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos moleculares do TGF-β1, com diferentes períodos de suplementação, sobre a formação do fenótipo osteogênico das células MC3T3-E1, comparando-os com células tratadas com AA+β-GP suplementados com Dex e/ou TGF-β1, sem e com a neutralização dos receptores de TGF-β1. A expressão gênica do próprio TGF-β1 e Smad3 foram analisadas, bem como, a diferenciação das células osteogênicas e a biomineralização. As células tratadas com TGF-β1 sem neutralização de receptores apresentam efeito inibitório nos estágios mais avançados da diferenciação dos osteoblastos e da biomineralização in vitro, mas expressarem alguns marcadores importantes envolvidos na mineralização. Observaram-se nódulos de mineral em todos os tratamentos das células que tiveram os receptores de TGF-β1 neutralizados, mas houve uma diminuição na expressão de alguns genes. Os resultados confirmam a complexidade da via de sinalização do TGF-β1, mostrando que existem lacunas para que seja entendido o mecanismo dessa molécula na biologia osteoblástica. / This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the molecular effects of TGF-β1, with different supplementation time periods on the establishment of MC3T3-E1 cells, comparing with cells treated with AA+β-GP supplemented with Dex and/or TGF-β1, without or with neutralization of TGF-β1 receptors. The gene expression of the TGF-β1 and Smad3 were analyzed, as well as the osteoblast differentiation and biomineralization. The cells treated with TGF-β1 without neutralization of receptors have had inhibitory effect on some important stages of osteoblast differentiation and biomineralization in vitro, but expressed some important mineralization markers. Mineral nodules were observed in all treatments of cells with their TGF-β1 receptors neutralized, but there was a decrease in the expression of some important genes. The results confirm the complexity of the pathway signaling of TGF-β1, showing that there are gaps for understand the mechanisms of this molecule in the biology of osteoblasts.

Este estudo in vitro teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos moleculares do TGF-β1, com diferentes períodos de suplementação, sobre a formação do fenótipo osteogênico das células MC3T3-E1, comparando-os com células tratadas com AA+β-GP suplementados com Dex e/ou TGF-β1, sem e com a neutralização dos receptores de TGF-β1. A expressão gênica do próprio TGF-β1 e Smad3 foram analisadas, bem como, a diferenciação das células osteogênicas e a biomineralização. As células tratadas com TGF-β1 sem neutralização de receptores apresentam efeito inibitório nos estágios mais avançados da diferenciação dos osteoblastos e da biomineralização in vitro, mas expressarem alguns marcadores importantes envolvidos na mineralização. Observaram-se nódulos de mineral em todos os tratamentos das células que tiveram os receptores de TGF-β1 neutralizados, mas houve uma diminuição na expressão de alguns genes. Os resultados confirmam a complexidade da via de sinalização do TGF-β1, mostrando que existem lacunas para que seja entendido o mecanismo dessa molécula na biologia osteoblástica. / This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the molecular effects of TGF-β1, with different supplementation time periods on the establishment of MC3T3-E1 cells, comparing with cells treated with AA+β-GP supplemented with Dex and/or TGF-β1, without or with neutralization of TGF-β1 receptors. The gene expression of the TGF-β1 and Smad3 were analyzed, as well as the osteoblast differentiation and biomineralization. The cells treated with TGF-β1 without neutralization of receptors have had inhibitory effect on some important stages of osteoblast differentiation and biomineralization in vitro, but expressed some important mineralization markers. Mineral nodules were observed in all treatments of cells with their TGF-β1 receptors neutralized, but there was a decrease in the expression of some important genes. The results confirm the complexity of the pathway signaling of TGF-β1, showing that there are gaps for understand the mechanisms of this molecule in the biology of osteoblasts.