TABLE I.

Genes Expressed by MC3T3-E1 Subclone 4 Cells During Differentiation

Gene	Name	Primary Function	Reference
Col1α1	Collagen type 1	Provides backbone of bone matrix	31
VEGFA	Vascular endothelial growth factor	Involved in “cross-talk” between osteoblasts and endothelial cells for vascular tissue formation during bone development	32
TGFβ1	Transforming growth factor	Involved in bone metabolism regulation	33
CDH11	Cadherin	Fundamental role for the development and maintenance of bone by mediating cellular crosstalk between osteogenic cells and by For Peer Review providing targets for the sorting and migration of osteogenic precursors toward the bone surface.	34
AKP2	Alkaline Phosphatase	Involved in turnover of collagen type 1 during bone matrix development	35
SMAD1	Smad1	Involved in intracellular signaling during bone development	36
SPP1	Osteopontin	Involved in regulating calcification during bone matrix development	37
MMP9	Matrix metalloprotease	Involved in regulation of growth plate maturation and bone formation	38
MMP2	Matrix metalloprotease	ECM enzyme involved in bone metabolism	39
LOX	Lysyl oxidase	Catalyzes enzymatic step for collagen- elastin cross-linking, which is required for bone formation.	40
DMP1	Dentin matrix Protein	Nuclear transcription factor involved in osteogenic gene expression	41