Effect of growth factors (BMP-4/7 & bFGF) on proliferation & osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: BMP (bone morphogenetic protein)-4/7 and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) significantly promote the osteogenic activity and the proliferation of rabbit BMSCs (bone marrow stromal cells), respectively. However, their synergistic effects on the proliferation and the differentiation of BMSCs remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of bFGF and BMP-4/7 were investigated on the proliferation and the differentiation of rat BMSCs in vitro. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits and cultured to the third passage. The samples were divided into five groups according to the material implanted: (A) 80 ng/ml BMP-4/7; (B) 80 ng/ml bFGF; (C) 30 ng/ml BMP-4/7 and 30 ng/ml bFGF; (D) 50 ng/ml BMP-4/7 and 50 ng/ml bFGF; and (E) 80 ng/ml BMP-4/7 and 80 ng/ml bFGF. Cell proliferation was analyzed using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin (OC) dynamics were also measured. RESULTS: BMP-4/7 alone significantly (P<0.05) promoted the proliferation of BMSCs. At the same time, it also promoted or inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The synergistic effects of BMP-4/7 and bFGF significantly promoted both the proliferation and the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The treatment of the synergistic effects was dose and time dependent. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: A rational combination of BMP-4/7 and bFGF can promote the proliferation and the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In addition, the synergistic functions are effective.