Effects of transforming growth factors on the wound repair of cultured rabbit gastric mucosal cells

We have evaluated the role of two different transforming growth factors in the restoration of rabbit primary cultured gastric mucosal cells using a new wound repair model. After forming confluent monolayer cell sheets, a wound with a constant size (2 mm(2)) was made using a rotating silicon tip. Either TGF alpha (0.1-100 ng/mL) or TGF beta(1) (0.1-10 ng/mL) was added to the medium and the process of wound repair was monitored and analysed quantitatively by an image analyser. Cell proliferation was examined by BrdU staining. After wounding, the cells fronting the wound formed lamellipodia and migrated towards the centre of the wound. In the control group, the wound healed completely 48 h after wounding. TGF alpha promoted wound healing and the wound healed within 36 h in the presence of TGF alpha. TGF alpha increased the number of proliferative cells and they appeared in an earlier phase of healing than in controls. TGF beta did not have any effect on the wound repair process. In conclusion, TGF alpha promotes mucosal cell repair processes the rabbit primary cultured gastric mucosal wound repair model in a dose-dependent manner by accelerating migration and proliferation. TGF alpha may modulate the healing process of a gastric ulcer or erosion in vivo.