Distribution of epidermal growth factor receptors in rabbit lens epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the growth-promoting effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on rabbit lens epithelial cells and the distribution of EGF receptors in these cells.


METHODS
Rabbit lens epithelial cells were cultured in TC-199 medium containing 0.5% fetal bovine serum and EGF for 1 to 5 days, and the growth-promoting effects of EGF were calculated with absorbance of methylene blue staining method. EGF receptors in the cells were analyzed by Scatchard plots using 125I-EGF in serum-free culture.


RESULTS
EGF, which enhanced the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, was stimulatory at 0.1-100 ng/ml and maximal (328.2%) with 10 ng/ml on day 5. The cells had two different affinity receptors. The number and the dissociation constant of the low affinity receptors were 5.81 x 10(4)/cell and 1.488 nM, respectively, and those of the high affinity receptors were 1.53 x 10(4)/cell and 0.159 nM, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
EGF may contribute to the development of living lenses.
Hongo
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Itoi
M
M
Yamamura
Y
Y
Yamaguchi
N
N
Imanishi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits
D003470:Culture Media; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors