ENHANCEMENT OF WOUND TISSUE EXPANSION AND ANGIOGENESIS BY MATRIX-EMBEDDED FIBROBLAST (DERMAGRAFT), A ROLE OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR SCATTER FACTOR

This study examined the effects of matrix-embedded human fibroblasts, a predominant cell type in the injured tissue, on the tissue expansion and angiogenesis. Using a co-culture technique, it was demonstrated t hat the presence of matrix-embedded fibroblasts (Dermagraft) significa ntly enhanced the expansion of human wound tissue in a 3D gel system o ver a period of 10 days. Using a rat aorta ring assay, fibroblasts als o significantly stimulated the growth of new vessels from the ring and also enhanced the motility of human vascular endothelial cells. This effect of fibroblasts was neutralised with anti-HGF/SF antibody. HGF/S F protein was detected in both supernatant and cell lysate of the fibr oblasts by bioassay and Western blotting, mRNA for HGF/SF was detected in the fibroblasts by RT-PCR. HGF/SF secreted by the fibroblast was a ble to stimulate the phosphorylation of cMET, HGF/SF receptor. It is t hus concluded that matrix embedded fibroblasts are capable of stimulat ing wound healing and this effect is attributed to HGF/SF, produced by the cell.