Abstract
ABSTRACT. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to enhance cell multiplication or differentiation in a number of developing tissues. We have examined the effects of this growth factor on the biochemical development of explants of fetal rat lung, cultured in serum-free medium for 48 h. EGF enhanced the rate of choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and disaturated phosphatidylcholine in a dose dependent fashion. Half maximal stimulation occurred at a concentration of 1.0 nM, similar to the Kd for EGF binding to rat lung cell membranes. There was also significant stimulation of acetate incorporation into all phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylglycerol (539%), and increased distribution of radioactivity from acetate in this phospholipid fraction. Exposure to EGF stimulated PC synthesis in 18- and 19-day explants (term is 22 days) whereas maximal enhancement of DNA synthesis occurred after this time. This sequence differs from that observed during early embryonic development when EGF initially enhances cell multiplication. An additive interaction with regard to enhancement of PC synthesis was observed with EGF and thyroid hormone, but not EGF and dexamethasone. EGF had no effect on the activity of the enzymes of the choline incorporation pathway of phosphatidylcholine synthesis or on the activity of enzymes involved with acidic phospholipid synthesis. Fetal lung EGF content and EGF binding capacity were not increased by glucocorticoid treatment and similarly glucocorticoid binding capacity was not increased by EGF. These data indicate that EGF enhances fetal rat lung phospholipid synthesis in a dose-dependent manner and suggest that this is a direct effect on the lung tissue mediated by specific receptors.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gross, L., Dynia, D., Rooney, S. et al. Influence of Epidermal Growth Factor on Fetal Rat Lung Development in Vitro. Pediatr Res 20, 473–477 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198605000-00018
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198605000-00018
This article is cited by
-
Therapeutic Potential of Growth Factors in Pulmonary Emphysematous Condition
Lung (2013)
-
Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and lung development
Endocrine Pathology (1996)
-
Culture of fetal alveolar epithelial type II cells in serum-free medium
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal (1991)