Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and -II), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated [125I]-deoxyuridine incorporation about 13, 6.2-, 4.6-, 3.8-, 3.1- and 1.2-fold, respectively, above control values at a concentration of 50 ng/ml. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) decreased incorporation about 30% at the same dose. aFGF, IGF-I, IGF-II, bFGF and TGF-beta increased [35S]-sulphate incorporation 231, 71, 64, 42 and 39%, respectively, in proliferating cells, while EGF, IGF-I, TGF-beta and PDGF decreased incorporation about 30%, and aFGF increased incorporation 80% in stationary-stage culture. TGF-beta, PDGF, aFGF and bFGF caused 65-40% inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity in proliferating and stationary cultures. These findings suggest that the proliferation of pulp cells may be stimulated mainly by PDGF and IGF-I, and the production of extracellular matrix proteoglycan may be enhanced by aFGF, IGF-I and IGF-II. Furthermore, TGF-beta, PDGF, aFGF and bFGF may regulate the differentiation of pulp cells into odontoblasts.