Abstract: [Abstract] Objective To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on proliferation, apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation of mouse osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1). Methods Cell counting kit-8 and TUNEL method were used to detect the effects of HGF on proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells at different concentrations (10 ng/mL and 25 ng/mL). The control group and the experimental group (25 ng/mL) were set and the mineralization capacity of the cells was detected by alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenesis related factors were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results HGF at a concentration of 25 ng/mL promoted cell proliferation at 48 h and 72 h, and inhibited apoptosis at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The size and number of calcium nodules in the experimental group were significantly higher than that in the control group which means the degree of mineralization was significantly increased. The mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenesis related factors including ALP, OCN, Runx2 and OSX in the experimental group were significantly increased than those in the control group. Conclusions HGF can promote the proliferation and the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibited their apoptosis.

Key words: Hepatocyte growth factor, MC3T3-E1, Proliferation, Apoptosis, Osteogenic differentiation