Nitric Oxide Stimulates Proliferation and Differentiation of Fetal Calvarial Osteoblasts and Dural Cells

Abstract

Fetal dural cells and calvarial osteoblasts express endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide enhances proliferation and differentiation of fetal dural cells and calvarial osteoblasts. These results suggest that endothelial nitric oxide synthase-derived nitric oxide may play an important role in development of the fetal craniofacial skeleton.