Effect of Harderian gland-derived growth factor on the growth of cornea stromal cells.
To investigate the physiological role of Harderian gland-derived growth factor (HGDGF), the effects of HGDGF and various other growth factors on the growth of cultured guinea pig cornea stromal cells were examined. HGDGF increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine to 150% of the control (5% fetal calf serum). The combination of HGDGF with fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) or platelet-derived growth factor enhanced the cell growth over that of either growth factor alone, increasing the incorporation of [3H]thymidine to 180 and 190% of the control, respectively. The combination of HGDGF with transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) decreased the growth to 60% of the control, and epidermal growth factor had no effect on the activity of HGDGF. The growth-stimulating activity of HGDGF was inhibited by suramin in a different manner from that of FGFs. These findings suggest that HGDGF binds a specific cell-surface receptor and plays a role in the repair of injured parts of the cornea and in the maintenance of the cornea stromal cells.
Yokoyama
Y
Y
Department of Physiological Chemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Kano
K
K
Kaji
K
K
Shirama
K
K
Matsuda
Y
Y
Namiki
H
H
Seyama
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000502:physiology*
D006133:Growth Substances