Effect of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor on Endothelial Cells and Osteoblasts

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Some animal studies showed that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) provides beneficial environment for bone healing. It has been well documented that endothelial cells and osteoblasts play critical roles in multiple phases of bone healing. However, the biological effects of G-CSF on these cells remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the influence of G-CSF at various concentrations on endothelial cells and osteoblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human osteoblasts (hOBs) were treated with G-CSF at 1000, 100, 10, and 0 ng/mL, respectively. The capacity of cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs was evaluated at 72, 8, and 6 hours after treatment, respectively. The capacity of proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of hOBs was evaluated at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 21 days after treatment, respectively. RESULTS: HUVECs treated with 100 and 1000 ng/mL G-CSF showed a significantly higher value comparing with controls in migration assay (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, resp.); the group treated with 1000 ng/mL G-CSF showed a significantly lower value on tube formation. No significant difference was detected in groups of hOBs. CONCLUSIONS: G-CSF showed favorable effects only on the migration of HUVECs, and no direct influence was found on hOBs.