(A) Representative images of scratch wound closure assay observed by phase-contrast microscopy at 20× magnification. The results were based on three independent experiments (n=3). (B) CCK-8 assay showing increased cell proliferation of osteocytes induced by increased dosages of TGF-β1. The results were based on the three independent experiments (n=3). *Significant difference was respected to the control group. ng denotes ng/ml. (C) Cell morphology assay showing the increase in dendritic processes in osteocytes induced by 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 by phase-contrast microscopy at 40× magnification. The results were based on three independent experiments (n=3). (D) Quantitation was done to confirm the increase in dendritic processes induced by TGF-β1. *Significant difference was respected to the control group (P<0.05). (E) The dye transfer (DT) assay showing the increased GJ formation in osteocytes induced by TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) by CLSM at 40× magnification. The dye transfer images were collected at 10 min after Lucifer Yellow staining. The results were based on three independent experiments (n=3). (F) Quantitation was done to confirm the increase in GJ formation in osteocytes induced by TGF-β1. *Significant difference was respected to the control group (P<0.05). (G) The SL/DT assay further showing a cell density-dependent increase in GJs in osteocytes induced by TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml); 1×, 2×, and 3× represent multiplied cell densities. The images were collected at 7 min after Lucifer Yellow staining along the scrape. The boxed area further showed the different transmission speeds between the control and TGF-β1 group. The purple arrows showed transmission direction after Lucifer Yellow loading. (H) Statistical analysis showing the changes inf transmission speeds after Lucifer Yellow loading between the control and TGF-β1 group (5 ng/ml). Data are presented as mean ± S.E.M. (n=3). *P<0.05.