Objective: To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on ectomesenchymal stem cells differentiating to smooth muscle cells.
Methods: 60 pmol/L TGF-beta was added to the ectomesenchymal stem cells of embryonic facial processes. Immunohistochemistry assay and image analysis were used to value the expression extent of a smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and quantitative RT-PCR was used to value the quantity of alpha-SMA.
Results: 2 days later, about 95% cells in TGF-beta group and 65% cells in control group without differentiation inhibitor expressed alpha-SMA. Expression of alpha-SMA in TGF-beta group was stronger than that of control group after one and two days. Quantitative RT-PCR showed the quantity of alpha-SMA mRNA in treated group cells was more than that of in control group.
Conclusion: Quantity of alpha-SMA in TGF-beta group is more than that of spontaneous differentiation group. TGF-beta has positive effect on ectomesenchymal stem cells differentiating to smooth muscle cells.