EFFECTS OF BASIC FIBROBLAST-GROWTH-FACTOR ON PROLIFERATION AND PHENOTYPE EXPRESSION OF CHONDROCYTES EMBEDDED IN COLLAGEN GEL

1. Whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can stimulate prolife ration and synthesis of chondroitin sulfate of chondrocytes in gel cul ture while maintaining the phenotype was studied. 2. At 3 weeks in cul ture, the cell number in 1.0 ng/ml (18.5 +/- 2.1 x 10(5)) and 10.0 ng/ ml of the bFGF group (15.3 +/- 1.9 x 10(5)) was significantly larger t han that in 0 ng/ml (12.3 +/- 2.1 x 10(5)), 0.1 ng/ml (11.7 +/- 2.2 x 10(5)) and 100.0 ng/ml of the bFGF group (9.8 +/- 2.3 x 10(5)). 3. All doses of bFGF used in this study suppressed synthesis of chondroitin 6-sulfate. 4. Chondrocyte phenotype in gel culture was maintained for 4 weeks even with stimulation of bFGF. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.