Quantitative determination of EGF-R during epidermal wound healing.
Little is known about the intrinsic regulation of growth factors of cytokines during the normal epidermal wound-healing processes in skin. A simplified model of wounding (tape stripping to remove the stratum corneum) was used to study the role of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) in this process. Although the dynamics of EGF-R in epidermal wound healing have not been determined, the immunoreactive EGF-R that are present presumably play an active role. Prior studies show that 1) EGF-R are present in increased numbers in proliferative skin diseases; 2) a hypertrophic epidermis, closely resembling normal wound healing, is induced in mouse skin by EGF injections; and 3) exogenous topical EGF potentiates wound healing. The number of immunoreactive receptors as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and histologic methods increased prior to an increase in epidermal thickness, total protein, and DNA content. This early increase in the levels of EGF-R was followed by a sharp decline in EGF-R and subsequent decline in epidermal thickness (hypertrophy), total protein, and DNA levels. Alterations in the temporal sequence in these parameters indicate that the EGF-R-mediated signaling systems play an active role in epidermal wound repair.
Stoscheck
C M
CM
Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN 37212-2637.
Nanney
L B
LB
King
L E
LE
D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D066246:ErbB Receptors