# EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR IN PROLIFERATIVE SKIN DISEASE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 1988 · $161,249

## Abstract

We have described a protein from human placenta which supports
growth of keratinocytes in culture (O'Keefe and Payne, 1985).
This material has now been partially purified and partially
characterized.  It is precipitated by ammonium sulfate, destroyed
by heat, acid, or trypsin, does not compete for binding with EGF,
and migrates on gel filtration with a Mr of 41,000.  The partially
purified material also stimulates thymocyte growth but is not IL-
1, and it is uncertain whether the same factor stimulates both
keratinocytes and thymocytes.

In order to continue to purify and characterize this factor, we will
test new purification methods and try to obtain enough purified
material to produce antibody or to obtain a partial amino acid
sequence which can be used to synthesize a polypeptide which can
be used for immunization.  The antibody will be used to further
purify the material by western blotting.  We will determine
whether the more purified material continues to stimulate
thymocytes or is separable from the IL-l-like activity.  We will
continue to validate a rapid 3H-thymidine assay that has
facilitated our efforts at purification for use in assessing
promotion of proliferation growth in cultured keratinocytes.  We
will characterize the biologic activities of the purified material
by testing its ability to phosphorylate target cell membranes, to
stimulate protein kinase C, to stimulate polyphosphoinositide
metabolism, to alter intracellular calcium ion concentrations, and
to interact with matrix components in enhancing keratinocyte
growth.  We will study interaction of the radioactively labelled
factor with target cell including keratinocytes and other cell
types and begin to study the receptor for the factor.  Finally, we
will use a radioimmunoassay for the factor to measure its
concentration in plasma and tissues and to determine the cell of
origin of the factor.  These studies will elucidate the structure
and function of this unique growth factor for keratinocytes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155360
- **Project number:** 5R01AR025871-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** D3LHU66KBLD5
- **Principal Investigator:** EDWARD J O'KEEFE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $161,249
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-07-01 → 1990-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155360

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155360, EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR IN PROLIFERATIVE SKIN DISEASE (5R01AR025871-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155360. Licensed CC0.

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