The Change of Type I Procollagen mRNA Expression by Growth Factors in Rabbit Deep Flexor Tendon Cell

Purpose : This study focuses on the change of the synthesis of type I collagen caused by four kinds of growth factors - epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF) - known as affecting the metabolism of the flexor tendon in short term culture of cells isolated from rabbit deep flexor tendons. Materials and Methods : Cells were isolated from rabbit deep flexor tendons by enzymatic digestion and cultured with Dulbecco\'s modified eagles medium (DMEM) containing 0.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS). And then four kinds of growth factors (10ng/ml) were given into each. The control cultures were kept as plain cultures without growth factors. On Day 5, Day 10, and Day 15, the cells were collected and cell proliferation rate was carried out by cell counting with hemocytometer. The expression of typeⅠprocollagen mRNA was measured by the Northern blot analysis. Results : In proliferation assay, The 10% FBS group showed the highest cell pro-liferation. The EGF group and the TGF group showed increased cell proliferation compared to the IGF group and PDGF group (p<0.05). The IGF group and PDGF group showed significant increase in type I procollagen mRNA expression (p