Fibroblast growth factor-binding protein facilitates the growth and migration of skin-derived precursors

• Published in: Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery Vol. 15; no. 4; p. 201
• Main Authors: Huang, Yong, Qi, Shao-Hai, Shu, Bin, Chen, Lei, Xie, Ju-Lin, Xu, Ying-Bin, Liu, Xu-Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2011
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Carrier Proteins - pharmacology; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - metabolism; Flow Cytometry; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Multipotent Stem Cells - drug effects; Multipotent Stem Cells - transplantation; Phenotype; Skin - cytology; Skin - metabolism; Telomerase - metabolism; Wound Healing - drug effects
• DOI: 10.2310/7750.2011.10049
• ISSN: 1203-4754

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are important regulators of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation during wound healing. FGF-binding protein (FGF-BP) plays a critical role in activating FGFs by releasing them from the extracellular matrix. Although previous studies have demonstrated a pivotal role for FGF-BP in wound healing and angiogenesis, little is known about the biologic effects of FGF-BP on skin stem cells that contribute to wound healing. To investigate the effects of FGF-BP on the growth and migration of skin-derived precursors (SKPs). FGF-BP was titrated to determine the optimal concentration that maximally stimulated cell proliferation. Cellular phenotype and telomerase activity were compared in the presence and absence of FGF-BP. The effect of FGF-BP on cell migration was observed by intravenously transplanting SKPs to adult mice. Cell proliferation was maximally stimulated by FGF-BP at a concentration of 10 ng/mL without changing the intrinsic characteristics of SKPs. Low levels of telomerase activity were detected, and FGF-BP decreased the rate at which telomerase activity was downregulated. In vivo, FGF-BP remarkably enhanced the migration of SKPs to skin lesion sites. FGF-BP exerts a positive effect on the growth and migration of SKPs, suggesting a potential role for SKPs in wound healing.