Effect of copper on the expression of TGF-β in incubated chondrocytes of newborn pigs

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011 Dec;143(3):1461-9. doi: 10.1007/s12011-011-8966-4. Epub 2011 Jan 26.

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to measure the effect of copper supplementation on TGF-β gene expression in chondrocytes of newborn pigs. Chondrocytes were cultured in media containing 15% fetal calf serum supplemented with 0, 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper in 90-mm culture plate. Total RNA was isolated from chondrocytes, and TGF-β cDNA was synthesized, amplified, and sequenced. The expression level of TGF-β was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the sequence of the cloned TGF-β gene was 99.4% identical to that in GenBank. The expression of TGF-β increased in culture media added with final concentration of 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper. In this study, the optimal copper concentration and optimal culture time for the highest level of TGF-β expression were 31.2 μmol/L and 48 h, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Base Sequence
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism*
  • Copper / pharmacology*
  • Culture Media
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Swine
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Copper