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 [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.