Effects of transforming growth factor-β on normal clonal bone cell populations

Abstract

Although transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been implicated in the local regulation of bone growth and remodelling, its specific effects on different subpopulations of bone cells have not been elucidated. Cells derived from bone are known to be heterogeneous and include both cells of different lineages and osteoblastic populations with different levels of expression of osteoblast-associated properties. Consequently, we have isolated clonal populations of bone cells to examine more precisely the effects of TGF-β on individual subpopulations. Several clonal populations were isolated by limiting dilution from cells derived from 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria. Two of these clones, RCA 11 and RCB 2, were used here. While the two clones responded similarly to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and isoproterenol (ISP) with increases in intracellular cAMP, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) elicited a 10-fold higher response in RCB 2 cells compared with RCA 11. RCB 2 cells expressed a 10-fold higher alkaline phosphatase activity compared with RCA 11. Both clones synthesized a variety of bone matrix associated proteins, but only RCA 11 synthesized SPP-1 (osteopontin) constitutively. TGF-β stimulated growth of RCB 2 cells after 24 and 48 h of treatment, but had no effect on growth of RCA 11. TGF-β supported anchorage-independent growth of RCB 2 cells, but not that of RCA 11. A 24-h exposure to TGF-β decreased cAMP responsiveness to PTH and ISP slightly in both clones, but had no effect on PGE2 responses. Significant reductions in alkaline phosphatase activity were seen in both clones after 24- and 48-h treatments with TGF-β. Total protein synthesis as measured by [35S]methionine incorporation was stimulated significantly in both clones, but TGF-β selectively stimulated type I collagen compared with type III collagen. SPARC (osteonectin) and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1; osteopontin) were stimulated by TGF-β in both RCA 11 and RCB 2 cells. These results indicate that individual clonal populations of cells within bone may be modulated differentially by TGF-β.Key words: transforming growth factor-β, osteoblasts, clonal cell lines, matrix synthesis.