The effect of basic fffiroblast growth factors ( bfgf ) in tendon healing - An in vitro study

Abstract

Tendon healing is subjected to a number of regulating actors. Fibroblast growth factor, FGF, serving a wide spectrum of bioactivities, is a potential mitogenic and chemotactic factor to enhance wound healing. This study investigates the effect of basic FGF (bFGF) on an in vitro wound closure assay, and the proliferative and chemotactic response of cultured rat patellar tendon fibroblasts. In quiescent confluent cells of patellar tendon tissue culture, a cell-free-zone was generated. The width of the wound was measured at 0, 6, 12, 24 hours post injury, in the presence of 0, 2, 10, 50ng/ml of bFGF Cell proliferative response was measured by BrdU (5-Bromo-2'deoxyuridine) incorporation as the number of cells that are in S-phase per unit area. Chemotactic response was measured as the number of cells migrating along a concentration gradient of bFGF per unit area, in a blind well chamber. bFGF, at an optimal concentration of 2-10ng/ml, gives a statistically significant increase in wound closure rate, as well as cell proliferation. However, bFGF seems not to be a chemotactic agent under these conditions.