Cartilage-inducing factor

Bone formation and resorption are influenced by several protein factors. For example, IGF-I stimulates formation of bone, but EGF promotes breakdown.256 Additional bone-derived growth factors and morphogenetic factors also have been described.256 257 A cartilage-inducing factor has been identified as TGF-p.258... 

Differentiation inhibiting factor and cartilage-inducing factor... 

TGF-Ps are pleiotrophic cytokines. They are capable of inhibiting the cell cycle and, hence, cell growth of several cell types, most notably epithelial and haematopoietic cells. These factors, however, stimulate the growth of other cell types, most notably cells that give rise to connective tissue, cartilage and bone. They induce the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins and modulate the expression of matrix proteases. They also serve as a powerful chemoattractant for monocytes... 

Mechanism of Action A bisphosphonate that inhibits the resorption of mineralized bone and cartilage inhibits increased osteoclastic activity and skeletal calcium release induced by stimulatory factors produced by tumors. Therapeutic Effect Increases urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion decreases serum calcium and phosphorus levels. 

In the case where MVs do not induce mineralization, there are three critical factors that need to be checked. (1) pH of the mineralization medium should be between 7.4 and 7.8. Lower pH tends to dissolve HA. Higher pH is inhibitory. (2) Amount of collagenase should be increased and eventually 0.1 % (w v) trypsin should be added see Notes 1 and 2). Therefore, it is important to weight tissues to adjust collagenase amount see Note 3). (3) Nucleational core of MVs must contain Ca. Supplementation of 1 mM Ca in Synthetic cartilage buffer may contribute to the preservation of the nucleational core. 

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