Epidermal growth factor: the driving force in initiation of RPE cell proliferation

Abstract

Background To analyze whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) exerts regulatory effects on proliferation and differentiation in ARPE19 cells after different incubation periods (24 vs. 48 h) for obtaining ideal conditions for feasible rejuvenation and autologous transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE cells). Methods To evaluate gene expression patterns of RPE-specific differentiation and proliferation markers as well as transcriptional and translational changes of beta-catenin (ß-catenin)-signaling markers by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after 24 h of EGF treatment. Results After 24 h of EGF treatment, a significant decrease of retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein 65 (RPE 65), cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) and cytokeratin 18 in ARPE-19 cells was scaled. In addition, an increase of cyclin D1 expression and a significant decrease of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3ß) and beta-catenin (ß-catenin) were equally observed after 24 and 48 h of EGF treatment. Cell-cycle studies revealed an increase of ARPE cells in S-G2/M phase after 24 h of EGF treatment. Conclusions Our data demonstrate the induction of proliferation and upregulation of the ß-catenin signaling pathway by EGF even after 24 h of incubation. As ideal cell culture conditions are essential for maintaining RPE-specific phenotypes, short incubation times enhance RPE cell quality for feasible rejuvenation and subsequent autologous transplantation of RPE cells.

Auranofin Inhibits Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Survival through Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/ Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

“…Therefore, EGF is considered a major factor in the development of PVR [8,11]. In this study, we found that EGF-dependent proliferation and migration in RPE cell were inhibited by 1.0 μM AF (Fig 5).…”

“…Several studies have shown that EGF induces the EGFR/MAPK signal transduction pathway and contributes to the survival, proliferation and migration of RPE cells [6–8]. Therefore, EGF is considered a major factor in the development of PVR [8,11].…”

“…Activation of these pathways could lead to cell proliferation and migration [5]. Several groups have already indicated that EGF enhances RPE cell survival and can stimulate proliferation and migration of RPE cells through activation of the EGFR signaling pathway [6–8]. Some studies show that the activation of EGF seems to be an important factor of the pathogenesis of PVR [9–11].…”

Migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells is EGFR PI3K AKT dependent

“…Recent studies found that EGF is capable to initiate proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of RPE cells through Wnt pathway. [27][28] Our MTS data indicated that 6hr treatment of 10ng/ml EGF could promote ARPE-19 cell proliferation. Xu and Yu [12] reported that EGFR activation played an important role in ARPE-19 cell wound-closure.…”

Effects of epidermal growth factor on the proliferation and cell cycle regulation of cultured human amnion epithelial cells

“…EGF plays an important role in cell proliferation, migration and locomotion (11e13). It induces the proliferation of different types of cells, for instance, the growth of keratinocytes of the skin and oropharynx, and retinal pigment epithelial cells, without inducing differentiation (11,12,14,15). EGF and its related peptides have been implicated in the promotion of cell proliferation in wound healing such as in re-epithelialization (12).…”