Potency and stability of C terminal truncated human epidermal growth factor

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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is normally present as EGF1–53. A variety of C terminal truncated forms have been used in preliminary trials for treating gastrointestinal injury but their relative potency and stability when used in a clinical setting are unclear. Therefore, we compared the biological activity of recombinant EGF1–53, EGF1–52, EGF1–51, and the C terminal peptides EGF44–53 and EGF49–53. METHODS Purity of forms was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Bioactivity of the different EGF forms was determined using [methyl-3H] thymidine incorporation into primary rat hepatocytes and their ability to reduce indomethacin (20 mg/kg subcutaneously)/restraint induced gastric injury in rats. Stability of EGF peptides was determined by serial sampling from a syringe driver system containing EGF/4% albumin in saline. RESULTS Biological activity assays of EGF1–53, EGF1–52, and EGF1–51 gave almost identical thymidine uptake dose-response curves (maximal responses increasing baseline uptake from 4400 (600) cpm (mean (SEM)) to about 22 000 (2000) cpm when EGF was added at 1.6 nM). EGF44–53 and EGF49–53 did not stimulate 3H thymidine uptake. Control rats had 47 (4) mm2 damage/stomach, EGF1–51, EGF1–52, and EGF1–53 at 0.16 and 0.80 nmol/kg/h each reduced gastric injury by about 50% and 80%, respectively (both doses pCONCLUSION EGF1–51and EGF1–52 are as biologically active as full length EGF1–53 but the C terminal penta- and decapeptides are ineffective. Clinical trials of EGF can probably use infusion systems for at least 48 hours at room temperature and with exposure to light, without reducing biological efficacy.