GROWTH-STIMULATION OF HUMAN SKIN FIBROBLASTS BY ELASTIN-DERIVED PEPTIDES

Elastin-derived peptides (kappa-elastin : kappa E, mean molecular mass : 75 kDa), either coated onto plastic dishes or added to culture medi a (0.26 to 1.33 nM) stimulated the growth of human skin fibroblasts (H SF) strains obtained from different donors and tested at different cel l passages (4 to 12). Coated 44.4 mu g/cm(2) insoluble elastin (if) ex hibited the same action; coated if or kappa E significantly modifies t he HSF morphology: after 5-6 days of culture, HSF are more elongated, and at preconfluence state, formation of HSF clusters surrounding if w ere observed. increased H-3 thymidine incorporation and proliferative effect of HSF by kappa E (1.3 to 2.2 fold as compared to control cells ) was observed after a lag phase period which raised with initial HSF density. Optimal proliferative effect was obtained at kappa E 8.5 10(- 10) M, a value close to the dissociation constant (k(D) = 2.7 10(-10) M) of kappa E to HSE Valine-glycine-valine-alanine-proline-glycine (VG VAPG), but not valine-glycine-valine (VGV) or Valine-glycine-valine-va line-glycine-alanine (VGVVGA) also significantly stimulated, optimally at 7.0 10(-10) M, HSF proliferation. It was concluded that the stimul atory influence of elastin derived peptides on HSF proliferation was m ediated through a binding to plasmalemmal receptor of HSF.