Differential effects of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 on chondrogenesis in posterofrontal cranial suture-derived mesenchymal cells in vitro

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 has been associated with cranial suture fusion, whereas TGF-β3 has been associated with suture patency. The mouse posterofrontal suture, analogous to the human metopic suture, fuses through endochondral ossification. METHODS: TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 expression in the posterofrontal suture was examined by immunohistochemistry. Next, the authors established cultures of suture-derived mesenchymal cells from the posterofrontal suture and examined the cellular responses to TGF-β1 and TGF-β3. Proliferation in response to TGF-β isoforms was examined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. High-density micromass culture of posterofrontal mesenchymal cells was used to study the effect of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 on chondrogenic differentiation. RESULTS: TGF-β1 but not TGF-β3 protein was highly expressed in chondrocytes within the posterofrontal suture. Significant increases in posterofrontal cell proliferation were observed with TGF-β3 but not TGF-β1. TGF-β1 led to significant increases in chondrogenic-specific gene expression (including Sox9, Col II, Aggrecan, and Col X) as compared with moderate effects of TGF-β3. TGF-β1 increased cellular adhesion molecule expression (N-cadherin and fibronectin) and promoted cellular condensation, whereas TGF-β3 increased cellular proliferation (PCNA expression). Finally, TGF-β1 and, to a lesser extent, TGF-β3 induced the expression of fibroblast growth factors (FGF-2 and FGF-18). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 exhibit marked differences in their effects on chondrogenesis in posterfrontal suture-derived mesenchymal cells, influencing different stages of chondrogenic differentiation. TGF-β3 significantly increased cellular proliferation, whereas TGF-β1 induced precartilage condensation, promoting chondrocyte differentiation.