Article Abstract:
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) acts as a powerful mitogen for human pulp cells; the expression of the odontoblast phenotype by the cells is suppressed by bFGF. The study analyzed the effects of bFGF on DNA synthesis, osteonectin/SPARC levels, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, their mRNA levels and calcium levels in human pulp cell cultures. The cells produced SPARC, AlPase and mRNAs before calcified nodules were formed. A close correlation was found between SPARC-synthetic activity and levels of ALPase and calcification. Terminal differentiation and calcification are inhibited in pulp cell cultures by bFGF, as DNA synthesis is stimulated.
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Article Abstract:
A study was conducted to establish the patterns of expression and content of basic fibroblast growth (bFGF) factor during retinal development in normal mice and mice afflicted with retinal degeneration (rd). In situ hybridization and quantitative ribonuclease protection assay revealed high levels of bFGF mRNA in the optic disc at all postnatal ages examined, but localized to the photoreceptor inner segments in the adult stage. More bFGF was observed in the outer retina in the mutant mice than in normal mice. The mutant mice also exhibited greater immunoreactivity because of elevated bFGF mRNA expression in rd retinas.
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Article Abstract:
An analysis of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) accumulation by extract fractionation and immunoblotting showed a 4-fold rise of an 18-kDa bFGF in rat heart ventricles of adults when compared to newborn rats, while a 2.5 fold decrease in extracts from adult (compared to neonatal) ventricles was observed in a 22-kDa bFGF species. Thyroid hormone may down-regulate accumulation of the higher molecular mass forms of bFGF in the heart.
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