PTH was studied for its effects on bone formation in cultured rat calvariae. 0.01-10 nM PTH stimulated [Hjthymidine incorporation into DNA by up to 4.8-fold. Although continuous treatment with PTH for 24-72 h inhibited [3Hlproline incorporation into collagen, transient (24 h) treatment enhanced 1H1-proline incorporation into collagen 24-48 h after the hormone was removed. The collagen stimulated by PTH was type I and the effect was observed in the periosteum-free bone and was not blocked by hydroxyurea. Furthermore, treatment with 1-100 nM PTH for 24 h increased insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I concentrations by two to fourfold, and an IGF I antibody prevented the PTH stimulation of collagen synthesis, but not its mitogenic effect. In conclusion, continuous treatment with PTH inhibits calvarial collagen, whereas transient treatment stimulates collagen synthesis, and the stimulatory effect is mediated by local production of IGF I.

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Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was studied for its effects on bone formation in cultured rat calvariae. bFGF at 0.1-100 ng/ml stimulated [3Hlthymidine incorporation into DNA by up to 4.4-fold. bFGF also increased the number of colcemid-induced metaphase arrested cells and the DNA content. Transient (24 h) treatment with bFGF enhanced 1H1-proline incorporation into collagen 24-48 h after the factor was removed; this effect was DNA synthesis dependent and blocked by hydroxyurea. The collagen stimulated by bFGF was type I, and this effect was observed primarily in the periosteum-free bone. In contrast, continuous treatment with bFGF for 24-96 h inhibited VHlproline incorporation into type I collagen. bFGF did not alter collagen degradation. In conclusion, bFGF stimulates calvarial DNA synthesis, which causes an increased number of collagen-synthesizing cells, but bFGF has a direct inhibitory effect on collagen synthesis.

Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and -II) are polypeptides secreted by skeletal cells and are considered regulators of bone formation. IGF-I and -II were studied for their effects on collagen synthesis and degradation in cultures of intact fetal rat calvariae and on type I collagen transcript levels in osteoblast-enriched (Ob) cells from fetal rat parietal bone. IGF-I and -II increased [3H]proline incorporation into type I collagen independently of their effect on cell replication. IGF-I and -II also decreased collagen degradation in calvarial cultures. Both factors had similar actions, although IGF-I stimulated collagen synthesis at 10 nM, and IGF-II at 30 nM. In Ob cells, IGF-I and -II also increased [3H]proline incorporation into type I collagen, but the effect was seen at 100 nM, and neither factor decreased collagen degradation. Slot blot analysis of IGF-I- and IGF-II-treated cells, using a rat type I collagen cDNA probe, revealed an increase in type I collagen transcripts. In conclusion, IGF-I and -II increase bone collagen synthesis and decrease collagen degradation in cultures of intact calvariae; the effect on collagen synthesis correlates with an increase in transcript levels in Ob cells.