Proliferative effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor on pterygium epithelial cells and fibroblasts

PURPOSE. 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 [H-3]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 [H-3]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.