IGFs, IGFBPs, IGF-binding sites and biochemical markers of bone metabolism during differentiation in human pulp fibroblasts.

Objective: To investigate the role of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF) system during the differentiation of human pulp-derived fibroblasts (HPF).

Methods: Primary HPF were cultured for 24 days in DMEM medium with IGF-I or IGF-II (50 ng/ml each). Cell growth and morphology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the concentration of free deoxypyridinoline (DPD), IGF-I, -II, IGFBP-2 and -3 were studied.