<i>In Vivo</i>Stimulation of Bone Formation by Transforming Growth Factor-β

TLDR

The study examined the in vivo effect of transforming growth factor‑β on bone. The authors administered 1 µg TGFβ daily for 12 days onto the periosteum of neonatal rat parietal bones, inducing periosteal woven bone formation. TGFβ increased parietal bone thickness by at least two‑fold in a dose‑dependent manner, localized to injection sites, without affecting contralateral bones, tibiae, or body weight, and TGFβ2 produced similar effects, demonstrating TGFβ’s anabolic role in bone formation. Endocrinology 124: 2991–2994 (1989).

Abstract

The effect of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) on bone in vivo was examined. Twelve daily injections of 1 μg TGFβ directly onto the periostea of parietal bones of neonatal rats stimulated the formation of periosteal woven bone. The thickness of the treated parietal bones increased at least 2- fold in a dose-dependent manner. This TGFβ effect was localized at the sites of injection, and no change was observed in contralateral parietal bones and tibiae. The body weight in these growing rats was not affected by TGFβ1. TGFβ2 had effects similar to those of TGFβ1 on the parietal bones in vivo. These results reveal for the first time that TGFβ stimulates bone formation in vivo and indicate its anabolic role in local bone metabolism. (Endocrinology124: 2991-2994, 1989)