PROMOTERS OF EPITHELIALIZATION INDUCE EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR IN HUMAN GASTRIC EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN PRIMARY CULTURE

Both epithelialization and angiogenesis are indispensable processes in gastric ulcer healing. Coordination between these processes has not b een well studied. In the present study, we have established a new prim ary culture system of human gastric epithelial cells and investigated the effect of epithelialization stimulants on a specific angiogenic fa ctor, vascular endothelial growth characterized as epithelial cells. B oth epithelialization stimulants, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and e pidermal growth factor (EGF), significantly stimulated vascular EGF ex pression in gastric epithelial cells. HGF and EGF receptors mere expre ssed by the cells, suggesting that regulation may be mediated through specific receptors. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societ ies.