NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES AGAINST BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR INFLUENCE THE HEALING OF TRAUMATIC TYMPANIC MEMBRANE PERFORATIONS

The beneficial effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2) in healing of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations have been demonstrated in animal models, and this study was conducted to investigate the effect of neutralizing anti-FGF-2 antibodies on acute tympanic membrane perforation healing. Anti-FGF-2 rabbit polyclonal antibodies were applied to traumatic TM perforations in guinea-pigs on days 0, 1, 2 and 3, whilst the opposite ear was treated with normal rabbit serum. On day 4, the perforation area was assessed, and the histological structure of the scar was studied. The average opening was larger in the neutralizing anti-bFGF-treated group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Histological analysis showed that scars treated with neutralizing anti-bFGF contained significantly less epithelial cells and less mononuclear cells. They also contained less fibroblasts and less vessels, but this difference was not significant. These data suggest that FGF-2 is one of the factors involved in the control of epithelial cells proliferation and mononuclear cell invasion in the initial phase of TM perforation healing. Neutralizing anti-bFGF antibodies could be of use in reducing the inflammation during the healing of TM perforations or to create animal models of chronic tympanic membrane perforations.