NORMAL AND MALIGNANT HUMAN COLONIC MUCOSA CONTAIN ACIDIC AND BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTORS

Quantification of the amount of heparin-binding growth factor activity present in homogenates of normal and malignant human colon mucosa in terms of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) indicates that 6-29 ng/ g tissue of bFGF-like activity was present in five samples of normal h uman colon and in five corresponding samples of malignant colon mucosa . Immunoblotting demonstrates the presence of immunoreactive bFGF and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF). The presence of bFGF and aFGF in normal and malignant colon mucosa suggests that they may be involve d not only in normal colon growth but also in the growth and survival of colon carcinomas.