Macrophage-derived growth factor for osteoblast-like cells and chondrocytes

Rat resident peritoneal macrophages in primary culture were found to elaborate a mitogenic factor (or factors) for rat osteoblast-like cells and chondrocytes but not for skin fibroblasts. Growth-promoting activity appeared in the incubation medium within the first 20 hr of macrophage culture and was released in amounts that paralleled the number of macrophages per culture. After their proliferative response, as judged by increases in DNA synthesis and cell number, the osteoblast-like cells became enriched in alkaline phosphatase, an index of osteoblast specialization. The macrophage-derived activity was nondialyzable and heat-stable, and it was eliminated by exposure to trypsin. Inhibition of prostaglandin cyclooxygenase failed to modify its generation. Partial purification (Amicon filter concentration, gel filtration) disclosed principal peaks of activity corresponding to Mr of 43,000 and 10,000. The crude conditioned medium and the Mr 43,000-peak, but not the low-molecular-weight peak, exhibited interleukin 1 activity, as judged by the ability to stimulate the proliferation of mouse thymic lymphocytes. The macrophage-derived growth factor described herein may participate in bone remodeling and repair and in primary bone and cartilage growth.