title: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) influences DNA synthesis in human fetal kidneys maturing in serum-free organ culture.
abstract: Human fetal kidney explants (13-17 weeks of gestation) were maintained in serum-free organ culture. The influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) was determined after 2 and 5 days by evaluating DNA and protein synthesis as well as the activities of five brush border hydrolases. During the studied period the overall morphology was preserved and the analysed parameters remained constant. Only DNA synthesis decreased after 2 days. The addition of EGF to the medium did not change any of the cell activities, except DNA synthesis. In fact, the incorporation of [3H]thymidine was significantly stimulated by 105% in 5-day explants cultured in the presence of the growth factor. These results indicate that EGF directly influences proliferation but not maturation of brush border enzymes in fetal human kidneys in culture.
authors.affiliation: Département d'anatomie et de biologie cellulaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brière
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004798:Enzymes; D011506:Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D013936:Thymidine