Acidic fibroblast growth factor accelerates dermal wound healing.
Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a potent mitogen in vitro for many cells of ectodermal and mesodermal embryonic origin including skin-derived epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells. Based on the mitogenic activity for these skin-derived cells, we tested the ability of topically applied aFGF to promote healing of full-thickness dermal wounds in healthy rodents. Low doses of aFGF can produce almost a two-fold maximum acceleration in the rate of closure of full-thickness dermal punch biopsy wounds in young healthy mice and rats. The mitogen also produces a 3 to 4 day acceleration in the time to complete closure in rats. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis of wound tissue shows that aFGF induces a marked stimulation of angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and the growth of new epithelium, but does not promote dermal contraction. Application of aFGF to linear incisions in rat skin produces a transient increase in wound tensile strength accompanied by enhanced cellularity and deposition of collagen. Therefore, aFGF functions as a pharmacological agent that can accelerate dermal wound healing in rodents and could act therapeutically to promote dermal tissue repair in humans.
Mellin
T N
TN
Department of Biochemistry, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ 07065.
Mennie
R J
RJ
Cashen
D E
DE
Ronan
J J
JJ
Capparella
J
J
James
M L
ML
Disalvo
J
J
Frank
J
J
Linemeyer
D
D
Gimenez-Gallego
G
G
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005813:Genes, Synthetic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1