Starved human fibroblasts secrete acidic proteins inducing post re-feeding proliferation and in vitro cell migration: a potential tool for wound healing.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: There are several reports indicating that starved fibroblasts show higher proliferation rates when re-fed with foetal bovine serum. We have evidence demonstrating that this phenomenon is related to secretory proteins which may be beneficial to wound healing. RESULTS: After re-feeding, 16 and 72 h serum-starved fibroblasts showed the highest and lowest proliferation rates, 1.59 and 0.51-fold difference compared to the non-starved control, respectively (P < 0.05). However, the latest value could be normalised by incubating cells with 16 h-starved fibroblast cell culture supernatant (16-SFS), prior to re-feeding. A strong correlation was found between total protein level in starved fibroblast culture supernatants and post re-feeding proliferation rates (r(2) = 0.90, P < 0.001). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of 16-SFS confirmed the presence of proteins with relative molecular weights of 10-120 kDa and pI ranging from 4 to 6. A significant difference in calcium influx course was found between 16-SFS and the negative control (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Ca(2+) concentrations after 1 h between non-starved controls and 16-SFS-treated fibroblasts. The scratch test demonstrated that the 16-SFS is able to induce fibroblast migration. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that human starved fibroblasts secrete proteins that are able to induce post re-feeding cell proliferation and fibroblasts migration, probably through the induction of a sustained calcium influx. This is worth being considered as a potential tool for wound healing.

Increased acidic fibroblast growth factor concentrations in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), also called FGF-1, which influences the proliferation and differentiation of various cell types in vitro, was originally isolated from neural tissue. It is released from the ependymal cells of the cerebral third ventricle into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). FGF-1 promotes the survival of neurons. Reactive astrocytes express FGF-1 in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). By comparing the CSF proteome of patients with AD and normal controls it might be possible to identify proteins that have a role in AD. Because CSF is in contact with the extracellular space of the brain, modifications in the brain biochemistry could be reflected in the CSF. The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of serum and CSF FGF-1 in patients with AD. This study consisted of 64 CSF samples, from patients with AD (n=32) and those without (normal controls) (n=32). The level of CSF and serum FGF-1 in patients with AD was higher than in patients without AD. We conclude that FGF-1 is a constant component of human serum and CSF and that FGF-1 may be involved in the pathophysiology of AD.

cagA gene and protein status among Iranian Helicobacter pylori strains.

The wide geographic genetic diversity of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and, in particular, the varying prevalence of cagA in different countries has been documented repeatedly. This study was designed to determine the frequency of cagA in Iranian Hp strains by means of genotyping and assessment of host antibodies. Helicobacter pylori strains from 235 patients, including 174 non-ulcer dyspepsia, 25 peptic ulcer and 36 gastric cancer patients, were studied. The frequencies of the 5', middle and 3' terminal regions of the cagA gene were 90.6, 57.6, 89%, respectively, with no correlation to the clinical outcomes. Antibodies against the CagA protein were present in 90.7% of patients. Multiple biopsy sampling in 97 cases revealed multiple infection in 16.5% of the patients. Sequencing of the seven variants of the 3' end of the cagA gene revealed no clustering and the distribution of the Iranian strains among those of other countries. Our results from the genotyping and serology analyses confirm that the majority of Iranian Hp strains are cagA-positive.