bFGF enhances activation of osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis on titanium surfaces via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of bFGF during the differentiation of osteoblasts and in the course of osteogenesis on titanium surfaces. Materials and methods: Basic f.ibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2), a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, has many biological effects on cell growth, differentiation, and survival. It was added into this study and MC3T3-E1 Subclone14 was cultivated. The MTT method was used to detect the proliferation of osteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) were examined for indicators of osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe protein fluorescence intensity and the Western-blot method was used to analyze the change of the proteins and study the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Results: The experimental results showed that the OD values of the MTT, ALP, and OCN rose and the expression levels of OPG, Runx2, and BMP-2 proteins increased when bFGF was added. Moreover, the concentration of 40 ng/ml bFGF was the optimum concentration. Furthermore, the results of signaling pathway analysis indicated that bFGF could promote expression of OPG, Runx2, p-Akt, and BMP-2 proteins via an activated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion: A certain concentration of bFGF could promote the proliferation, differentiation, and osteogenesis of osteoblasts on Ti surfaces via an activated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.