Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of anti-human HB-EGF neutralizing polyclonal antibodies in vitro

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the epidermal growth factor family and has a variety of physiological and pathophysiological functions. Also, HB-EGF plays a pivotal role in progression of different tumors. So, HB-EGF seems to be a target molecule for the treatment of some cancer types. Aim To obtain HB-EGF neutralizing polyclonal antibodies and test their anti-proliferative properties in vitro. Materials and methods Lab rabbits and mice were used for immunization with recombinant HB-EGF. The effect of generated polyclonal antibodies on viability and apoptosis of human epidermoid carcinoma derived A431 cell line was assessed using MTT and Annexin V-propidium iodide assays. Results Rabbit polyclonal anti-HB-EGF serum could block binding of soluble HB-EGF to epidermal growth factor receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor. Also, anti-HB-EGF antibodies could bind to surface of A431 cells which express abnormally high levels of membrane bound proHB-EGF and its receptor. It has been shown that immune serum with polyclonal antibodies against HB-EGF was able to block the mitogenic activation of the cells with HB-EGF and cause apoptotic cell death. Conclusion Inhibition of HB-EGF activity with neutralizing polyclonal antibodies can effectively inhibit mitogenic activation and cause apoptosis of cancer cells with significant epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression.