Epithelial Wound Healing Enhanced by Transforming Growth Factor-α and Vaccinia Growth Factor

TLDR

Epidermal regeneration after middermal skin injuries depends on keratinocyte proliferation and migration, and growth factors such as EGF, TGF‑α, and VGF—homologous proteins that bind the same receptor—have been shown to stimulate this process. The study aimed to determine whether topical TGF‑α or VGF could accelerate epidermal wound healing in vivo. Topical application of low‑dose TGF‑α or VGF (0.1 µg/mL) in antibiotic cream accelerated epidermal regeneration of second‑degree burns more effectively than EGF, producing normal‑appearing epithelium and indicating that these growth factors can accelerate healing of partial‑thickness injuries.

Abstract

Epidermal regeneration following middermal injuries to skin requires both proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes in culture, and topical administration of EGF accelerates epidermal regeneration of partial thickness burns or split-thickness incisions in vivo. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) and vaccinia growth factor (VGF) have substantial sequence homology with EGF, and all appear to bind to the same receptor protein. Whether TGF-α or VGF can affect epidermal wound healing in vivo is not known. The present studies show that topical administration of TGF-α or VGF in antibiotic cream to partial thickness burns (second degree) accelerated epidermal regeneration in comparison with untreated or vehicle-treated burns. Low levels of both TGF-α and VGF (0.1 microgram per milliliter) appeared to be more effective than EGF in stimulating epidermal regeneration. Regenerated epithelium from burns treated with TGF-α or VGF appeared normal histologically. This finding suggests that topical application of selected growth factors may be useful in accelerating healing of partial thickness injuries.