<p>A) High phosphate (P) increased the expression of BMP-2 while TGF-β or the combination of TGF-β plus high phosphate decreased significantly the expression of this osteogenic marker (a p<0.001 vs. all groups). Results are expressed as fold change vs. Control cells. B) High phosphate (P) decreased significantly SM22α and myocardin expression with respect to Control cells (b p<0.01 for SM22α and a p<0.001 for myocardin) and TGF-β group (c p<0.001). The combination of TGF- β and high phosphate (TGF-β + P) decreased the expression of SM22α and Myocardin although less than high phosphate alone (c p <0.001vs. TGF-β group). C) TGF-β alone did not change significantly the alkaline phosphatase activity. This activity increased after high phosphate treatment (a p<0.001 vs. all others groups). The combination of TGF-β and high phosphate for 14 days significantly decreased this activity when compared with high phosphate group. D) Calcium content was significantly increased after high phosphate treatment (a p<0.001 vs other groups). The combination of TGF-β and high phosphate prevented this increase of calcium induced by high phosphate alone.</p
