Aim: To study the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on the neonatal mouse osteoblast-enriched calvarial cells and effects of protein kinase C (PK C) inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2 -methylpiperazine (H-7) on the TNF actions.
Methods: [3H]TdR uptake by the osteoblasts was used to measure cell proliferation. Cellular alkaline phosphatase (AIP) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (trAcP) activities were determined spectrophotometrically.
Results: TNF (1-100 kU . L-1) inhibited both proliferation and expression of AIP activity, but stimulated trAcP activity. These TNF-induced actions were blocked by simultaneous addition of H-7 (5-20 mumol . L-1).
Conclusion: TNF has potent effects on the osteoblasts, and the blockade of TNF actions by H-7 suggests that TNF exert its effects through PK C.