Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the effect of transforming growth factorβ(TGF-β)on ectomesenchymal stem cells differen- tiating to smooth muscle cells.Methods　60 pmol/L TGF-βwas added to the ectomesenchymal stem cells of embryonic facial processes. Immunohistochemistry assay and image analysis were used to value the expression extent ofαsmooth muscle actin (α- SMA) and quantitative RT-PCRwas used to value the quantity ofα-SMA.Results　2 days later, about 95% cells inTGF-βgroup and 65% cells in control groupwithout differentiation inhibitor expressedα-SMA. Expression ofα-SMA inTGF-βgroupwas stron- ger than that of control group after one and two days. Quantitative RT-PCR showed the quantity ofα-SMAmRNA in treated group cells was more than that of in control group.Conclusion　Quantity ofα-SMA in TGF-βgroup is more than that of spontaneous differentiation group. TGF-βhas positive effect on ectomesenchymal stem cells differentiating to smooth muscle cells.

Key words: ectomesenchymal stem cell, transforming growth factorβ, smooth muscle cell, differentiation