Transforming growth factor β1 stimulates bone formation and resorption in an in-vivo model in rabbits

Abstract

The influence of TGFβ1 on bone was studied in a titanium device implanted into the tibia of rabbits. TGFβ1 was infused via an Alzet osmotic pump calibrated to deliver at a rated of 200ng daily for 2 weeks before replacement. A hollow channel is incorporated into the device into which tissue can grow, and the histological sequence of events was observed over 6 weeks. In control samples, the rod-shaped piece of tissue at 2W consisted of spindle-shaped cells in the center, flanked at both ends by islands of trabecular bone lined by cuboidal osteoblasts and osteoclasts. By 4W, ingrowth of bone reached the center if the specimen, by which time, the bone surfaces were opposed by a single layer of ..