Proliferative effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor on pterygium epithelial cells and fibroblasts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the growth promoting and chemotactic effects of heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), recently shown to be upregulated by ultraviolet irradiation in pterygium-derived epithelium cells (PECs) and pterygium fibroblasts (PFs).


METHODS
PECs and PFs were incubated with various concentrations of HB-EGF. Cell proliferation was evaluated by measurement of [3H]thymidine incorporation. The potential chemotactic effect of HB-EGF on these two cell lines was assessed with migration assays, using modified Boyden chambers and checkerboard analysis.


RESULTS
Incubation of PECs and PFs with HB-EGF resulted in a significant increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation compared with that of control cells. HB-EGF stimulated chemotaxis of both PECs and PFs. Maximum stimulation occurred at 1 ng/mL for PFs and 10 ng/mL for PECs. These effects were abolished by the addition of a neutralizing antibody to HB-EGF.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings demonstrate the potential proliferative and chemotactic effects of HB-EGF on both PECs and PFs. This is the first study to illustrate the positive effect of a specific growth or chemotactic factor on the cellular elements of a pterygium.
Nolan
Timothy M
TM
Inflammation Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Di Girolamo
Nick
N
Coroneo
Minas T
MT
Wakefield
Denis
D
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011625:Pterygium / Q000473:pathology*
C587883:HBEGF protein, human; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor