Effects of aFGF and bFGF on wound healing in rabbit corneas

Abstract

After the debridement of the entire corneal epithelium of the rabbit eye, epithelial cells of conjunctival origin cover the denuded corneal surface. Under such experimental conditions, the rate of wound healing is considerably delayed and total regeneration is completed within 15 to 20 days, allowing evaluation of various drugs, such as the Fibroblast Growth Factor. Both acidic and basic FGF were administered topically on totally de-epithelialized rabbit eye, at three different concentrations of 1.5 and 10 Stimulation Units/50 microliters, 3 times per day. A dose-response effect was observed and in each case, acidic FGF was found to be much more potent than bFGF in increasing the rate of wound healing of the cornea. These results are correlated with a new purification procedure, avoiding acid treatment of the tissue extract. The systemic diffusion of FGF allows the contralateral eye cells to be also stimulated for mitosis and migration and to heal faster than the control eyes.

Comparison of the Therapeutic Effects Recombinant Human Acidic and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factors in Wound Healing in Diabetic Patients

“…Although a doseresponse effect was observed in each case, aFGF was found to be more potent than bFGF in increasing the rate of wound healing of the cornea. 34) This may be due to the higher sensitivity of corneal stromal fibroblasts to aFGF than to bFGF. 30) However, whether that difference affects chronic wound healing remains to be investigated.…”

“…Alberts demonstrated a different regulation of aFGF and bFGF in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. 33) In a model of the debridement of the entire corneal epithelium of the rabbit eye, 34) both aFGF and bFGF were administered topically. Although a doseresponse effect was observed in each case, aFGF was found to be more potent than bFGF in increasing the rate of wound healing of the cornea.…”

Modulation of fibroblastic cytoskeletal features during pathological situations: The role of extracellular matrix and cytokines

“…FGFs are potent mitogens for fibroblasts and endothelial cells and the influence of FGFs appears prominent in the connective tissue repair process, particularly through their potent angiogenic capacity. Basic FGF increases the accumulation of granulation tissue in subcutaneously implanted sponges by inducing fibroblast proliferation and collagen accumulation [Davidson et al, 19851, but, as we have said for PDGF, the results concerning the exogenous application of FGFs on wounds are dependent on the model [Fredj-Reygrobellet et al, 1986;Greenhalgh et al, 1990;Fina et al, 19911 and further studies are needed to evaluate the role of FGFs in combination with other growth factors or extracellular matrix components. We have seen that basic FGF decreases the expression of a-SM actin in cultured fibroblasts (unpublished observations).…”

Combined Use of Acid Fibroblast Growth Factor, Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor and Zinc Sulphate Accelerates Diabetic Ulcer Healing

“…We did not include non-diabetic group in this study since each of the approach used in the combination has been used extensively to non-diabetic animals. 19,33,[39][40][41] In these previous studies, application of the exogenous growth factors or Zn did not always stimulate the wound healing process, for which one of the reasons is because normal tissue is not defect for these growth factors or nutrients such as Zn. 42) Diabetic induction by STZ and the full-thickness skin wound for the diabetic rats was made as described in the pilot study.…”