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R P Schaudies

Publications and source records attributed to R P Schaudies.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Purification and molecular cloning of a secreted, Frizzled-related antagonist of Wnt action.

Frizzled polypeptides are integral membrane proteins that recently were shown to function as receptors for Wnt signaling molecules. Here, we report the identification of a novel, secreted 36-kDa protein that contains a region homologous to a putative Wnt-binding domain of Frizzleds. This protein, called Frizzled-related protein (FRP), was first identified as a heparin-binding polypeptide that copurified with hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor in conditioned medium from a human embryonic lung fibroblast line. Degenerate oligonucleotides, based on the NH2-terminal sequence of the purified protein, were used to isolate corresponding cDNA clones. These encoded a 313-amino acid polypeptide, containing a cysteine-rich domain of approximately 110 residues that was 30-40% identical to the putative ligand-binding domain of Frizzled proteins. A 4.4-kb transcript of the FRP gene is present in many organs, both in the adult and during embryogenesis, and homologs of the gene are detectable in DNA from several vertebrate species. In biosynthetic studies, FRP was secreted but, like Wnts, tended to remain associated with cells. When coexpressed with several Wnt family members in early Xenopus embryos, FRP antagonized Wnt-dependent duplication of the embryonic dorsal axis. These results indicate that FRP may function as an inhibitor of Wnt action during development and in the adult.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of renal EGF in dichromate-induced acute renal failure treated with thyroid hormone.

Administration of either thyroid hormone or epidermal growth factor (EGF) ameliorates injury in a variety of experimental acute renal failure (ARF) models. Since thyroid hormone augments EGF release and EGF receptor expression, a hypothesis suggesting that the mechanism of thyroid action is via EGF appears attractive. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the role of EGF in thyroid mediated protection from ARF induced in rats by dichromate. Renal parenchymal levels of acid extractable endogenous EGF were measured by RIA in dichromate exposed, otherwise untreated animals and in those receiving dichromate followed by thyroid. In the untreated case serum creatinine peaked at 2.5 mg % on the third day following dichromate exposure. Endogenous levels of EGF closely paralleled serum creatinine with a six-fold increase observed at peak injury. The source of EGF increase appeared to be a membrane bound precursor as soluble levels of EGF rose in injured kidneys at the expense of Triton-X-100 extractable, immunoreactive material that upon treatment with trypsin yielded additional EGF. T3 administered one hour following dichromate resulted in significant functional protection (peak injury serum creatinines 2.63 +/- 0.76 control vs. 0.98 +/- 0.14 with T3) as well as an approximate doubling in renal EGF levels at 24, 48 and 72 hours (4.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 9.7 +/- 0.8 at 24 hr, 33.5 +/- 6.5 vs. 63.2 +/- 20.0 at 48 hr, and 23.1 +/- 10.0 vs. 44.1 +/- 8.7 ng/g wet weight at 72 hr). There was no beneficial effect of exogenous EGF on renal function either when given in conjunction with T3 or when used alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1994

Modification of immunoreactive EGF and EGF receptor after acute tubular necrosis induced by tobramycin or cisplatin.

Acute tubular necrosis induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics and various other nephrotoxins is followed by a regenerative process which leads to the restoration of damaged tubules. Several lines of evidence indicate that tubular regeneration is mediated by polypeptide growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF). Previous studies devoted to cisplatin nephrotoxicity have shown that this agent causes tubular cystic degeneration possibly related to an impairment of renal tissue repair. Thus, we examined on a comparative basis the time course of the regenerative response subsequent to tubular damage induced by tobramycin or cisplatin, particular attention being paid to renal EGF and its receptor. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (160-180 g body weight) were treated during 4 consecutive days with daily doses of 200 mg/kg tobramycin i.p. (BID) or 2 mg/kg cisplatin (once a day). Sham-treated rats were given 0.9% NaCl i.p. following the same protocol. Groups of experimental animals (n = 5-10) were terminated at increasing time intervals (1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 60 days) after cessation of treatment. One hour prior to sacrifice, each individual received i.p. 200 mg/kg 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for the immunohistochemical demonstration of cell proliferation. Blood was collected at the time of sacrifice in order to assess glomerular filtration rate by measuring serum creatinine and BUN levels. Kidneys were analyzed with respect to total EGF determined by RIA in renal tissue homogenates, and soluble EGF was assayed in extracts prepared by centrifugation. Renal tissue was processed for the immunohistochemical detection of S-phase cells, of EGF, of EGF receptors, and of the intermediate filament vimentin, the latter being used as a marker of epithelium dedifferentiation. In absence of nephrotoxic alterations, EGF was immunolocalized in distal tubules, whereas EGF receptor immunostaining was seen in proximal tubules cells. Vimentin immunostaining was confined to glomeruli and blood vessels. Tobramycin and cisplatin caused acute tubular necrosis in proximal convoluted tubules and proximal straight tubules, respectively. Tissue damage was accompanied by renal dysfunction reflected by an elevation of serum creatinine and BUN levels. Tubular necrosis was followed by a proliferative response indicative of tubular regeneration. Regenerative hyperplasia was associated with a reduction of total immunoreactive EGF due to a decrease of tissue-bound proEGF. Tubules undergoing regenerative repair were characterized by a disappearance of EGF receptors and the presence of immunoreactive vimentin. In tobramycin-treated rats, renal dysfunction lasted for 4-7 days and was fully reversible, as indicated by the return of serum markers to normal values.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

The effect of indomethacin on the secretion of human salivary epidermal growth factor.

Ulceration associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is a common problem in elderly patients. The postulated cause of NSAID ulceration is multifactorial but is probably related to the inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway and a subsequent decrease in mucosal prostaglandin levels. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), on the other hand, has been shown to be gastroprotective, stimulating DNA synthesis, and preventing ASA-induced gastric ulceration. Since EGF is important in gastric mucosal protection, we questioned whether the potential ulcerogenic properties of indomethacin were related in part to decreasing salivary EGF. Twenty healthy male volunteers with no gastrointestinal complaints received indomethacin 50 mg P.O. t.i.d. for 3 consecutive days. Saliva and serum were collected before indomethacin treatment and repeated 2 h after the last indomethacin dose. Stimulated salivary samples were collected for 15 min in fasted subjects and assayed for EGF, whereas serum indomethacin levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. EGF levels significantly decreased by 33% after indomethacin (p < 0.03), and this decrement was linearly related to serum indomethacin concentrations (r = 0.58; p < 0.048). Salivary output did not change after indomethacin treatment. Based on this data, we concluded that indomethacin's ulcerogenic properties may be related to its prostaglandin inhibitory properties as well as its ability to decrease salivary EGF output.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Increased soluble EGF after ischemia is accompanied by a decrease in membrane-associated precursors.

We have characterized the distribution of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (irEGF) in control and ischemia-injured rat kidneys. Kidneys that had undergone ischemic injury contained levels of soluble irEGF that were six times those of uninjured kidneys. The predominant forms of soluble irEGF were native and des-Arg-epidermal growth factor (EGF), both of which are biologically active. Crude membrane fractions from whole kidneys were solubilized in Triton X-100 and tested for irEGF. Amounts of irEGF were slightly decreased in the ischemia-injured kidney membranes. However, when solubilized membrane fractions were digested with trypsin, which generates a single immunoreactive species which appears identical to native EGF, the amount of irEGF in control fractions increased 13-fold and the amount in injured fractions increased only 4-fold as measured by radioimmunoassay. To better characterize the membrane-associated irEGF, Triton X-100-solubilized membrane fractions from control animals were affinity purified and subjected to high-performance liquid molecular sieve chromatography. Three major peaks of material exhibited immunoreactivity to EGF antibodies, bound the EGF receptor, and stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in growth-arrested fibroblasts. Trypsin digestion of the two high-molecular-mass peaks enhanced these activities. The third peak eluted with native EGF and showed no change in activity with trypsin addition. We propose that EGF is released from membrane-associated EGF precursors and can then act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to promote cell growth after ischemia-induced acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1993

Endogenous EGF as a potential renotrophic factor in ischemia-induced acute renal failure.

The time course for the increases in soluble renal epidermal growth factor (EGF) after ischemia has been established. These elevated levels of EGF have been compared with the degree of tissue injury as well as the extent of cell proliferation in the recovering tissue. Levels of soluble immunoreactive EGF (irEGF) in control animals were 9.74 +/- 1.1 ng/g wet wt (n = 4-8 for all values) and rose to 83.9 +/- 30 ng/g within 12 h after injury. Soluble irEGF content peaked at 88.8 +/- 15 ng/g at 24 h postinjury and returned to control values by 72 h. We previously reported that trypsin digestion of crude renal membranes (CRM) generates rat EGF that is indistinguishable from that isolated from the submandibular gland. Initial levels of trypsin-releasable membrane-associated irEGF were 439 +/- 26 ng/g. These levels fell to 46.6 +/- 9.6 ng/g at 48 h after injury. The total renal EGF demonstrated an 80% decline 48 h after injury but returned to 50% of the initial values after 72 h representing significant new synthesis of EGF-containing proteins between 48 and 72 h postinjury. Immunohistochemical staining of kidney paraffin sections for EGF immunoreactivity demonstrated staining intensities that paralleled the amount of irEGF in the trypsin-digested CRM fraction, suggesting that the membrane-associated irEGF is the predominant form detected by this technique. Regenerative hyperplasia subsequent to tubular insult was monitored by immunostaining nuclei of S phase cells after pulse labeling with the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. Cell proliferation was particularly prominent in the outer stripe of outer medulla of kidneys exposed to ischemia and reached a maximum (19-fold higher than the baseline value) 48 h after reperfusion. Renal cell turnover returned to control values by day 7. The observation that the peak in soluble EGF levels (24 h) precedes the peak in tubular regeneration (48 h) by 24 h is consistent with the hypothesis that EGF is one of the mitogenic signals triggering regenerative hyperplasia after renal injury.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1993

Differential effects of an antiserum to epidermal growth factor on the development of transplanted rat embryos and fetal structures in vivo.

In order to obtain information on the possible role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rat prenatal development, we tested the effects of a neutralizing antiserum to rat EGF and of recombinant human EGF on the growth and development of transplanted rat embryos and fetal structures. Ten-day embryos or 16-day fetal intestines (ileum and jejunum) or paws were transplanted under the capsule of both kidneys of young adult syngeneic host rats. Osmotic minipumps were used to infuse antiserum to rat EGF or normal rabbit serum (NRS) into the renal artery of the right kidney to ascertain direct effects on development. The transplants on the contralateral side served as internal controls. Infusion of the NRS did not affect growth of any of the fetal structures or of the embryo transplants. The antiserum to rEGF did not affect growth of the fetal ileum or paw transplants, but it inhibited growth of the fetal jejunum by 38%, and suppressed differentiation of hair follicles in the paws by approximately 90%. Tissue differentiation in the two segments of the intestine was unaffected by the antiserum. By contrast, growth of embryo transplants was stimulated by approximately 60% by the anti-EGF serum. Infusion of antiserum did not affect the growth of the kidneys upon which the transplants were grown, and infusion of different doses of recombinant human EGF had no effect on growth of embryo transplants. Our data suggest that EGF may function as a negative growth regulator during the embryonic period, but it becomes a growth stimulator for specific tissues during the fetal period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Tubular injury and regeneration in the rat kidney following acute exposure to gentamicin: a time-course study.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics act as nephrotoxic drugs, inducing a lysosomal phospholipidosis and necrotic lesions essentially in convoluted proximal tubules. Previous studies have demonstrated that tubular injury caused by these compounds elicits a process of renal tissue repair (tubular regeneration) involving an increase of cell turnover in tubular epithelium. The present study was performed in order to: (i) achieve further insight into the temporal relationship between aminoglycoside-induced phospholipidosis, tubular necrosis, and tubular regeneration; and (ii) approach the control of tubular regeneration after nephrotoxin-induced insult. To investigate the latter point, we examined by immunocytochemistry the intrarenal distribution of epidermal growth factor (EGF) during tubular regeneration. Five groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5) were treated for 4 days with gentamicin i.p. at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg delivered in 2 injections per day. Sham-treated animals (n = 5) received an equivalent amount of vehicle (0.9% NaCl) according to the same protocol. Groups of treated rats, and controls, were terminated 16 h (day 1), 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days after the end of gentamicin administration. One hour prior to necropsy, each animal was given an i.p. injection of 40 mg 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for the immunocytochemical demonstration of S-phase cells, using an anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody. Renal tissue was processed for light microscopy analysis, namely: a computer-aided morphometry of lysosomes in proximal tubular cells, a single-blind evaluation of gentamicin-induced tubular injury, the measurement of cell proliferation by immunocytochemical detection of BrdU-labeled nuclei, the demonstration of EGF-like immunoreactive material in renal tissue by using anti-rat EGF antiserum and immunogold-silver staining. As revealed by the morphometry of lysosomes in proximal tubular epithelium, the degree of gentamicin-induced phospholipidosis was maximum at day 1 (relative area occupied by lysosomes was increased 25-fold over mean control value) and declined thereafter. In contrast, tubular necrosis reached a peak 4 days after the end of drug administration. In proximal tubular epithelium, the stimulation of cell turnover associated with tubular regeneration showed a peak at day 7 (15-fold the mean control value). Tubular regeneration was also accompanied by mild interstitial hyperplasia. Three weeks after treatment with gentamicin, morphological evidence of drug-induced injury had disappeared due to the tissue repair process, except for the occasional presence of small hyperplastic foci in renal cortex interstitium. In both treated animals and controls, EGF immunoreactivity as revealed by immunocytochemical staining was associated with distal tubules (renal cortex and outer medulla).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Epidermal growth factor-like activity in mares' milk.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like activity was measured in mares' colostrum and milk by radioreceptor assay. Milk samples were collected from 22 mares 1 or more times during early lactation. Samples of colostrum were taken after parturition and before the foal first suckled (presuckle), within 6 hours after the foal first suckled (postsuckle), and on days 1, 2, 4, and 8 of lactation. In the 5 mares from which milk samples were obtained at each sampling time, presuckle colostral mean EGF-like activity (17.8 ng/ml) was greatest (P less than 0.05). The mean values for EGF-like activity at all other sampling times were not significantly different from each other (postsuckle colostrum, 9.7 ng/ml; day 1, 9.6 ng/ml; day 2, 8.5 ng/ml; day 4, 8.0 ng/ml; day 8, 7.8 ng/ml).

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Measurement of human epidermal growth factor receptor in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

To evaluate a potential physiologic role of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the endometrium, we measured the receptor content at different times in the menstrual cycle. Endometrial biopsy specimens were obtained from 28 normal women during the proliferative or secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, and the epidermal growth factor receptor content was determined. When the number of epidermal growth factor binding sites were evaluated as a function of time within each phase, a difference between phases became evident. The level of receptor increased during the proliferative phase with a maximum just before ovulation (p = 0.0128, r = 0.748). The epidermal growth factor receptor level decreased during the secretory phase, reaching a minimum before menses (p = 0.0001, r = 0.843). We conclude that the endometrial epidermal growth factor receptor content is cycle dependent, being maximal during the periovulatory period and minimal just before or during menses. These findings further suggest a physiologic role for epidermal growth factor in the proliferation and differentiation of the endometrium.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Alteration in levels of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor in the gastrointestinal mucosa of Fischer rats fed a diet containing 10% wheat bran.

This study evaluates the effect of dietary wheat bran on the levels of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the gastrointestinal mucosa of Fischer 344 rats. Male rats were fed either a fiber-free diet or a diet containing 10% wheat bran (nine animals per group) for a period of 5 wk. The gastrointestinal tract of each animal was divided into four segments: proximal, middle and distal small intestine, and colon. Mucosa was removed by scraping, EGF was extracted by homogenization and the extracts were analyzed for immunoreactive rat EGF using a homologous RIA. Levels of immunoreactive EGF in all regions of the small intestine of Fischer rats were comparable to our previous measurements in Sprague-Dawley rats, and these levels were unaffected by diet. In contrast, the EGF levels in the colon of the Fischer rats were approximately fivefold greater than those of the Sprague-Dawley rats. These higher levels of immunoreactive EGF in the colon decreased 63% with the addition of 10% wheat bran to the diet (P less than 0.02). These results represent the first demonstration of dietary fiber modulating the content of EGF in the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Modulation of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor levels in the submandibular gland, pancreas, liver, kidney and gastrointestinal tract of suckling rats by cortisone and tri-iodothyronine.

Suckling rats exhibit age-dependent differences in epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in several organs. The present studies evaluated the effects of two hormones known for their maturative effect on suckling rats, cortisone and tri-iodothyronine (T3), on immunoreactive EGF levels in specific organs. Suckling rats were administered cortisone (5 mg/100 g body weight per day) or T3 (50 micrograms/100 g body weight per day) on days 8, 9, 10 and 11 after birth, and killed on day 12. Submandibular glands, kidneys, pancreas, liver and gastrointestinal tract mucosa and lumen were assayed for immunoreactive EGF by a species-specific radioimmunoassay. Low levels of EGF in the submandibular glands were increased slightly by both T3 and cortisone treatment. Cortisone evoked a tenfold increase in EGF in the pancreas, but had no effect on levels in the kidney or liver. In contrast, T3 evoked a sixfold increase in the EGF level in the kidney, but had no effect on levels in the pancreas or liver. Hormonal administration had no effect on EGF levels in the stomach. Within the intestinal tract, cortisone had no effect on the luminal EGF content of the duodenum, jejunum or ileum, but caused a decrease in the midjejunum. T3 evoked a decrease in the luminal EGF content of the ileum. The effect of cortisone on mucosal EGF content varied between regions; an increase was seen in the duodenum with a decrease in the midjejunum and ileum. T3 administration resulted in a significant decrease in EGF only in the mucosa of the ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Identification and partial characterization of multiple forms of biologically active EGF in rat milk.

Milk from lactating Sprague-Dawley rats was assayed for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like activities. A homologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) indicated the presence of immunoreactive material that competed in a nonparallel fashion with submandibular gland rat EGF (sm-r-EGF). The activity in the milk was extracted using antibodies to sm-r-EGF covalently linked to acrylamide beads. This activity was characterized by RIA, nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, enzymatic digestion, radioreceptor assay, and ability to stimulate incorporation of [3H]thymidine into cultured fibroblasts. The presence of three distinct immunoreactive forms of EGF in rat milk were detected that competed with 125I-labeled r-EGF for binding to the EGF receptor and stimulated DNA synthesis in growth-arrested fibroblasts. Two of the forms are converted to the sm-r-EGF species by tryptic digestion as determined by RIA and migration rates in a nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel. The biological activities are stable to heating in 0.1 M acetic acid and also are stable at pH 9.0. Levels of r-EGF equivalents in milk were low at time of birth (6.3 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) and rose to 35.4 +/- 14.6 by days 4 to 6.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Intracellular processing of epidermal growth factor by early wound healing cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent 53-amino-acid residue polypeptide that has been implicated in normal wound healing. Although past studies have shown that locally applied EGF accelerates wound healing, these studies have not examined intracellular events related to the processing of the growth factor. The objective of this study was to characterize both initial and later postbinding intracellular processing of EGF by a responsive cell line (osteoblasts) that is important in the healing of wounds. Cloned mouse calvarial osteoblasts (MC-3TC-E1) were incubated with radiolabeled EGF, with and without preincubation with nonlabeled EGF, for specific time intervals. Cell-associated radioactivity was characterized by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results showed that EGF is processed as three distinct species and that the relative proportions of these species are altered at later time periods when compared with initial processing. The patterns, similar to those reported for human fibroblasts, indicate a possible common pathway for the mitogenic signal in cells associated with the early events of wound healing. In addition, these data represent the first direct evidence that preexposure of cells to nonlabeled EGF alters the processing of radiolabeled EGF. This is significant, because cells must be exposed to EGF for 5 to 8 hours to elicit a growth response. Such data may help to explain the "lag phase" of wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Epidermal growth factor immunoreactive material in the rat brain. Localization and identification of multiple species.

Brains of adult male rats were dissected into five distinct regions: brainstem, cerebellum, hippocampus, diencephalon, and telencephalon. Epidermal growth factor-like immunoreactivity was isolated and characterized by radioimmunoassay and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Radioimmunoassay indicated levels of standard rat epidermal growth factor equivalents ranging from 0.99 to 0.33 ng/g wet weight of brain tissue. Competition curves were not parallel to those generated with standard rat epidermal growth factor, indicating a lack of structural identity between the immunoreactive material in the brain and standard rat epidermal growth factor. Extracts of submandibular gland and blood did, however, produce parallel competition curves. Electrophoresis indicated the presence of multiple bands of immunoreactive material in each of the regions of the brain. The major bands of activity migrated to positions distinct from that of standard rat epidermal growth factor. This is the first demonstration of multiple forms of epidermal growth factor-like immunoreactive material in the central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

EGF content in the gastrointestinal tract of rats: effect of age and fasting/feeding.

Immunoreactive rat epidermal growth factor (EGF) was measured in the pancreas and in the mucosa and lumen of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, midjejunum, ileum, and colon of fed or fasted 5- and 12-day-old suckling, and 3- to 4-month-old adult male rats using a homologous radioimmunoassay. The EGF levels in the pancreas in sucklings were lower than in adults and were unaffected by fasting. Both gastrointestinal mucosal and luminal EGF levels were higher in suckling rats than in adults. Fasting caused a significant decrease in gastrointestinal levels of EGF in the suckling rats but resulted in minimal changes in the adults. Our results show that the content of EGF in gastrointestinal tract is dependent on both age and dietary status. Together with the fact that milk contains a large amount of EGF (O. Koldovský and W. Thornburg, J. Pediatr. Gastro. Nutr. 6: 172-196, 1987) and that labeled EGF is absorbed to a considerable extent by the gastrointestinal tract of suckling rats (P.A. Gonella et al., J. Clin. Invest. 80: 22-32, 1987: W. Thornburg et al., Am. J. Physiol. 246: G80-G85, 1984), our present study implicates milk as an important source of EGF in the suckling period.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Effects of epidermal growth factor on thyroglobulin and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production by cultured human thyrocytes.

While several workers have identified epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors on human thyroid membranes, very few reports have described EGF effects on intact human thyroid cells in primary culture, and these were short term studies indicating that EGF effects were primarily inhibitory [reduced iodide uptake and thyroglobulin (Tg), T4, and T3 release]. Paradoxically, in vivo EGF stimulates thyroid growth and increases colloid stores. In this study we examined the effects of EGF on cultured thyroid cells in regard to thymidine incorporation, Tg secretion, and cAMP production during a 12-day period. Addition of EGF (0-30 ng/mL) to medium for 6 or 12 days stimulated thymidine incorporation and enhanced Tg synthesis by thyroid cells. However, the profile of Tg release into medium was biphasic. Tg release was inhibited by EGF (0.1-10 ng/mL) during the first 3 days of culture, but the inhibitory effect disappeared by the sixth day, and EGF stimulated Tg release by day 12 and thereafter. EGF enhanced endogenous cAMP levels in thyroid cells, but did not augment TSH-stimulated increases in cAMP production. Our observations of EGF-stimulated growth and inhibited Tg secretion during short term culture are consistent with the findings of earlier studies with nonhuman thyrocytes. However, the later phase of enhanced cAMP levels with stimulation of Tg secretion indicates that EGF may have trophic effects on thyrocytes previously unrecognized because of the short term nature of the studies. These observations suggest an important role for EGF in maintenance of normal thyroid physiology.

Cells, Cultured↗