SUMMARY: EGF family growth factors consists of growth factors, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-a, heparinbinding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), amphiregulin (AR) and epiregulin, autocrine growth factors in normal human keratinocytes. HB-EGF is mitogen for epithelial cells and like other members of the EGF family, HB-EGF exerts its biological effects via interaction with the EGF receptor (EGFR). HB-EGF is an autocrine growth factor for human keratinocytes, and has a possible role as a paracrine growth factor for fibroblast. Our report concerning immunohistochemical localization of HB-EGF in normal skin by using the streptavidinperoxidase (HRP) conjugate method, confirms previous data, revealing specific patterns of HB-EGF localization. Identification of HB-EGF in cells of epithelial origin suggests its autocrine and/or paracrine roles in epithelial cell maintenance. Our report especially wants to give a technical contribution, easy to manage and with evident results. A simple technique that does not require use of sophisticated equipment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.