EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA 1-4 IN THE CHICK LIMB BUD MESENCHYMAL CELLS - REGULATION BY 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN-D-3

When mesenchymal cells from the early chick limb bud (stage 23-24) are plated at high cell density they spontaneously undergo chondrogenesis , implicating extensive cell-to-cell interactions. In the past it has been shown that TGF-beta or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D-3 influences this process. In the present study we investigated the expression of TGF-be ta isoforms in the mesenchymal cells after treatment with 1,25-dihydro xyvitamin D-3. We found that TGF-beta 2 was down-regulated due to the treatment. The size of the transcripts was the expected as described f or sternum cartilage cells but with differential use preference. (C) 1 994 Academic Press, Inc.