title: Epidermal growth factor and calcitriol synergistically induce osteoblast maturation.
abstract: Calcitriol (1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)) plays a key role in the differentiation of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for the formation and maintenance of healthy bone matrix. Recently it has emerged that calcitriol influences the trafficking or stability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. However, how these agents might work together in regulating growth and differentiation has not been examined. Using the human osteoblast cell line, MG63, we were able to induce a profound differentiation response by treating these cells with a combination of calcitriol (100 nM) and EGF (10 ng/ml). Co-stimulation of MG63 osteoblasts with calcitriol and EGF led to synergistic increases in osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), proteins expressed by differentiating cells. Inhibition of differentiation was accomplished by MEK and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors. Other ligands known to signal via receptor tyrosine kinases could not substitute for EGF in the maturation response. These novel findings may help identify new processes that drive osteoblast differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin St., Bristol BS1 2LY, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yarram
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tasman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gidley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clare
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sandy
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mansell
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002117:Calcitriol; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases