Abstract
BackgroundBasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that has effects on wounding healing and neuro-protection. However, it is difficult to use bFGF to treat diseases that are separated by physiological barriers, such as the dermal barrier and blood brain barrier.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo improve bFGF’s penetration ability, we fused the recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF) gene with TAT. We constructed a pET3c vector that contained the recombinant bFGF gene and successfully expressed this gene in the E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) pLsS. The fusion protein was purified using CM Sepharose FF and heparin affinity chromatography. The purity of the TAT-rhbFGF was greater than 95%, as detected by SDS-PAGE. An in vitro MTT trial revealed that the modified bFGF significantly promoted the proliferation of NIH3T3 cells. The cell penetration trial and the mouse skin penetration trial demonstrated that the fusion protein had certain penetration abilities. The animal experiments confirmed that TAT-rhbFGF was effective in the treatment of the hypertrophic scars.Conclusions/SignificanceWe have successfully expressed and purified a TAT-rhbFGF fusion protein in this study. Our results have shown that the fusion protein had a greater ability to penetrate the dermal skin layer. TAT-rhbFGF improved the physical appearance of hypertrophic scars. TAT-rhbFGF may be a potential fusion protein in the treatment of dermal disorders, including hypertrophic scar.
Highlights
Basic fibroblast growth factor is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which is widely distributed throughout various human and animal cells. bFGF was first abstracted and purified by Gospodarowicz in 1974[1]
A recombinant human fibroblast growth factor was made for clinic treatment. bFGF is well known for its role in the process of wound healing[6], neuro-protection[7], cell proliferation and apoptosis[8]
The invasive proliferation of fibroblasts leads to excessive expression of collagen proteins and keloids. bFGFs are believed to alleviate scar formation in a rabbit ear model by decreasing the collagen expression[12]
Summary
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which is widely distributed throughout various human and animal cells. bFGF was first abstracted and purified by Gospodarowicz in 1974[1]. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which is widely distributed throughout various human and animal cells. BFGF is well known for its role in the process of wound healing[6], neuro-protection[7], cell proliferation and apoptosis[8]. The development of hypertrophic scars usually occurs in darker skinned patients and is associated with the proliferation of fibroblasts and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)[10,11]. The invasive proliferation of fibroblasts leads to excessive expression of collagen proteins and keloids. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that has effects on wounding healing and neuro-protection. It is difficult to use bFGF to treat diseases that are separated by physiological barriers, such as the dermal barrier and blood brain barrier.
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