title: [Indian Hedgehog signaling is involved in the stretch induced proliferation of osteoblast].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the role of the Hedgehog (Hh) genes in the proliferation of osteoblasts upon mechanical tensile strains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary osteoblasts harvested from newborn rat calvarial bone were subjected to 3% and 6% elongation of tensile stretches using Flexcell 4000 strain unit. The cultures were also treated with either recombinant N-terminals Sonic Hedgehog (N-Shh) or cyclopamine (cy), a Hh inhibitor or gadolinium (GdCl3), an inhibitor of stretch-activated channels. The proliferation of osteoblasts was quantified by cell counting, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and cell cycle detection via flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 8.0 software package.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tensile strain, especially under 6% elongation, promoted osteoblast proliferation. Stretching force could also promote the proliferation even when the cells were treated with cy, but this effect was suppressed by GdCl3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The induced proliferation of osteoblasts by mechanical stretched is mediated at least in part by Indian Hedgehog (Ihh) signaling.
authors: Dept. of Orthodontics, Institute and Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210025, China.
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Han
authors: Xiaoling
authors: X
authors: Zhang
authors: Guohua
authors: G
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D010006:Osteoblasts; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids; C000541:cyclopamine