Transforming growth factor-beta1 modulates chondrocyte responsiveness to 17beta-estradiol

This study examined the interrelationship between transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and 17beta-estradiol (E2) in the regulation of growth plate chondrocytes. To determine whether TGF-beta1 modulates chondrocyte response to E2, we used cells isolated from the resting zone (RC) and growth zone (GC) of costochondral cartilage. Confluent, fourth-passage cultures were pretreated with rhTGF-beta1 for 24 h, followed by treatment with E2 for 24 h. The effect of TGF-beta1 and E2 alone, or the sequential combination, were examined by measuring [3H]-thymidine incorporation (proliferation), alkaline phosphatase (AP) specific activity (differentiation), and [35S]-sulfate incorporation (matrix synthesis). TGF-beta1 alone increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation in both female and male RC and GC cells, but E2 affected this parameter only in RC cells, causing a dose-dependent decrease. At the highest concentration of TGF-beta1 and E2, [3H]-thymidine incorporation in female GC cells was the same as seen in untreated control cultures. In male GC cells, [3H]-thymidine incorporation in cultures treated with TGF-beta1 and E2 exhibited a comparable increase, as was seen in cultures treated with TGF-beta1 alone. TGF-beta1 caused a biphasic stimulation in AP that was maximal at 0.22 ng/mL, in both female and male RC and GC cells. E2, however, affected only female cells. Whereas the effect of TGF-beta1 predominated in RC and GC male cells, the biphasic stimulation caused by E2, maximal at 109 M, predominated in female RC cells. In female GC cells, however, TGF-beta1 caused a synergistic response, resulting in enhanced AP specific activity in cultures pretreated with 0.22 ng/mL of TGF-beta1 and 10(-8) M E2. TGF-beta1 alone caused dose-dependent increases in [35S]-sulfate incorporation in female RC and GC cells, as well as in male GC cells, but had no effect on male RC cells. E2 affected only female cells. TGF-beta1 potentiated the effect of E2 on this parameter, resulting in synergistic increases in the female cells. This is the first demonstration of a gender-specific response to TGF-beta1 in chondrocytes. These results suggest that chondrocyte response to a systemic hormone such as E2 can be modulated by local regulatory agents such as TGF-beta1.