NGF stimulates differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

The activities of NGF on induction of IL-6, ALP and collagen were studied in cultured osteoblastic cells, MC3T3-E1. Treatment of the cells with NGF induced IL-6 production in a dose dependent manner and enhanced ALP activity and collagen biosynthesis without affecting cell proliferation. Cyclo-oxygenase was activated in NGF-treated cells and prostaglandinE2 was detected as a major metabolite from arachidonic acid. Since prostaglandinE2 is an enhancer of ALP activity and collagen biosynthesis in MC3T3-E1 and was found to induce IL-6 production in this study, it is possible that NGF works on MC3T3-E1 cells through the mediation by endogenous prostaglandinE2.