title: Induction of growth plate cartilage ossification by basic fibroblast growth factor.
abstract: In mammals, longitudinal bone growth results from the precise coupling of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis within the epiphyseal growth plate, a process termed endochondral ossification. The mechanisms coupling chondrogenesis and osteogenesis are unknown. Previous studies have shown that both basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and acidic FGF are expressed by growth plate chondrocytes. Here we show that bFGF, infused directly into the rabbit proximal tibial growth plate, accelerates vascular invasion and ossification of growth plate cartilage. Our results suggest the possibility that bFGF (or a related member of the FGF family) couples osteogenesis to chondrogenesis by attracting vascular and bone cell invasion from the adjacent metaphyseal bone.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Yanovski
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Novosad
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bacher
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bolander
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Cutler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2