FIG. 1.

SAG induces osteogenic differentiation of NMCCs in vitro. NMCCs were exposed to the hedgehog agonist SAG (0.5 or 1.0 μM) under osteogenic differentiation conditions for up to 21 days. Gene expression of osteogenic markers at 7, 14, and 21 days, assessed by qRT-PCR. Genes of interest included (A) Ocn, (B) Opn, (C) On, (D) Bsp, and (E) Col 1. Experiments performed in triplicate. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared to control. SAG, Smoothened agonist; NMCCs, neonatal mouse calvarial cells; qRT-PCR, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; Ocn (Osteocalcin); Opn (Osteopontin); On (Osteonectin), Bsp (Bone Sialoprotein); Col 1, type I collagen. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea