The effect of epidermal growth factor & platelet-derived growth factors on wound healing process.
OBJECTIVE
Various growth factors play significant roles during the process of wound healing. A systematic study was carried out to evaluate the effects of topically applied epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF-BB, PDGF-AB, PDGF-AA) in various concentrations on wound healing. Various combinations of these growth factors were also studied to find the best combination for wound healing.


METHODS
Wounds were created on a mouse model. Various concentrations and combinations of EGF and PDGFs were applied topically and the effects on wound healing were monitored visually.


RESULTS
EGF, PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB when applied alone or in combination, healed the wounds in significantly less time and with less scar tissue formation compared to the controls. The best results were obtained with a combination of EGF (10 ng) and PDGF-BB (15 ng). PDGF-AA even at the maximum concentration of 20 ng did not enhance the wound repair process. A combination of PDGF-AA (20 ng) with EGF (10 ng) did not enhance the wound repair process either.


CONCLUSIONS
Topically applied EGF, PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB enhanced the wound repair process and had a role in decreasing the formation of scar tissue. PDGF-AA either alone or in combination with EGF did not enhance the wound repair process significantly. It appears that PDGF-AA might be limiting the EGF-mediated wound repair and such observation has not been previously reported in studies on wound healing using topically applied growth factors.
Gope
Rajalakshmi
R
Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India.
D000818:Animals; D000077214:Becaplermin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C075278:platelet-derived growth factor A; C095477:platelet-derived growth factor AB; D000077214:Becaplermin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor