Growth factors influencing bone development

Cartilage matrix metabolism in osteoarthritis: markers in synovial fluid, serum, and urine

Osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability and early retirement. Yet we lack the means to diagnose the disease in its early stages or to monitor the effects of treatment on the target tissue, the joint cartilage. Neither can we identify the disease mechanisms at the tissue or cell level. Current research focuses on the use of markers of cartilage matrix metabolism in body fluids as a means to diagnose and monitor osteoarthritis. Cartilage proteoglycan, collagen and glycoprotein fragments, as well as proteinases and their inhibitors, are being suggested for this purpose. Structural information on matrix molecule fragments released into body fluids may also help to identify the enzymes active in the destruction of the cartilage, a central issue in osteoarthritis.

Mitogenic and dentin-inductive effects of crude bone morphogenetic protein from bone and dentin in primary adult pulp cell culture

The effects of crude bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) derived from bone and dentin matrix on proliferation, production of extracellular matrix, and biologic function of the pulp cell were examined in the primary cell culture from permanent dental pulp. BMP from bone and from dentin matrix stimulated iodine 125-deoxyuridine incorporation in the absence of 10% calf serum. They increased sulfur 35-sulfate incorporation in proliferating stage and had no effects in stationary stage of culture. Alkaline phosphatase activities were inhibited in proliferating, stationary, and multilayered stages of culture. Osteocalcin synthesis was increased in culture treated with BMP from day 2 to day 10. These findings suggest that crude BMP might have mitogenic activity and some role in regulation of differentiation of pulp cells into odontoblasts.

Markers of cartilage metabolism in arthrosis. A review

The mechanisms involved in the disease process in arthrosis are largely unknown, with genetics, joint malalignment, overload or trauma, obesity, and aging as some of the known or suspected contributing factors. Even less well known is how these general factors are translated into disease mechanisms at the cell and tissue levels. However, it may be argued that degradation of cartilage matrix is a key event at some time in the development of arthrosis. During this process, fragments of matrix molecules and other chondrocyte products are released into the joint fluid and eventually into other body fluids. These molecules can be used as markers of cartilage metabolism to monitor joint disease. In addition, by identifying the proteases and the structure of the released matrix fragments, we may improve our understanding of the cellular mechanisms active in cartilage degradation. Such information offers improved diagnostic and prognostic tools for rational treatment aimed at retarding cartilage destruction in arthrosis.

Transforming growth factor-beta-related genes in Drosophila and vertebrate development

The Drosophila decapentaplegic gene, the Xenopus activin genes and the genes encoding the mouse bone morphogenetic proteins are transforming growth factor-beta-related genes whose roles in development are the focus of current studies. They exhibit elaborate patterns of expression during development, and the protein products have potent effects on the differentiation of specific cell types.