The objectives of this study were to establish a growth factor response profile for adult human articular chondrocytes, to determine whether this is unique for chondrocytes or influenced by the differentiation status of the cells, and to characterize growth factor interactions. It is shown that transforming growth factor+ (TGF-P) is the most potent mitogen among a variety of factors tested. All three isoforms of TCF-P caused similar dose-dependent increases in chondrocyte proliferation. Other members of the TGF-P family, including bone morphogenetic protein 28 (BMPZB), activin, and inhibin, did not detectably increase chondrocyte proliferation. Platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFCF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (ICF-1) also stimulated proliferation but were less effective than TGF-P. In contrast to findings with other cell types, the effects of TCF-P on chondrocyte proliferation were not dependent on the endogenous production of PDGF. The cytokines lnterleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) gave no stimulation, but IL-1 inhibited chondrocyte proliferation induced by TCF-P or serum. This response profile was characteristic for primary chondrocytes from human adults and distinct from subcultured (dedifferentiated) chondrocytes or skin fibroblasts. The latter preferentially responded to PDGF, and IL-1 caused greater increases in proliferation than TCF-6.
In summary, these results describe growth factor responses that are characteristic for chondrocytes and provide a basis for the analysis of changes in chondrocyte growth proliferation that occur in aging and tissue injury. o 1994 WiIey-Lis, Inc.