STIMULATION OF HUMAN KERATINOCYTE GROWTH BY ALGINATE OLIGOSACCHARIDES, A POSSIBLE COFACTOR FOR EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR IN CELL-CULTURE

Oligosaccharides, involved in regulation of plant developmental and de fensive processes, were tested to determine their ability to enhance p roliferation of human keratinocytes. A mixture of alginate oligosaccha rides remarkably stimulated keratinocyte growth and [H-3]thymidine upt ake in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGP). The activity was comparable to bovine pituitary extract, a common complement in kerati nocyte culture, and additive on BPE-induced stimulation. The most effe ctive oligosaccharide in the mixture was identified and its chemical s tructure was determined. These findings demonstrate a novel activity o f alginate oligosaccharide(s) in keratinocyte growth and suggest a pos sible co-factor for EGF-dependent stimulation in medium for keratinocy tes. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.