Protection of rat myocardium by mitogenic and non-mitogenic fibroblast growth factor during post-ischemic reperfusion.

The effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and a non mitogenic form of FGF1 on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion were assessed. Rats underwent 10 minutes of coronary artery occlusion followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Creatinine kinase content of the affected myocardium showed that both fibroblast growth factors 1 and 2 effectively protected against ischemia reperfusion injury (p < 0.01), and that the vasoactive but nonmitogenic form of the FGF1 was equally protective (p < 0.01 versus control + vehicle). The results were confirmed by light and electron-microscopy histological studies. Histological evaluations after treatment with the non-mitogenic fibroblast growth factor 1 showed that it did not generate the severe hyperplasia and connective tissue disorganization observed with the native mitogenic proteins. The possibility of using a non-mitogenic form of fibroblast growth factor for cardio-protection circumvents many of the potentially undesirable effects that may derive from systemically introducing broad spectrum acting fibroblast growth factors in vivo. This myocardial protection observed 24 hours after the treatment with fibroblast growth factors, and the efficacy of the non-mitogenic form of the protein, also suggest that the protective effect of fibroblast growth factors may be due to the increased blood flow rather than to angiogenesis.

Single-step purification on DEAE-sephacel of recombinant polypeptides produced in Escherichia coli.

We describe a method for the purification of recombinant proteins based upon the selective interaction of the choline-binding domain of the pneumococcal murein hydrolase and tertiary amines. Proteins of interest, fused to the binding domain by a peptide linker, containing the cleaving sequence recognized by blood coagulation factor Xa, can either be assayed for biological activities in vitro and in vivo or have the binding moiety removed to yield a totally unmodified form, suitable for clinical and functional studies. The method can also be applied to the production of low molecular mass peptides. The principle of the technique is illustrated with acidic fibroblast growth factor and with a neuropeptide-like fragment of ten amino acids contained within its sequence.

Hypotensive activity of fibroblast growth factor.

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are members of a family of proteins that are broad-spectrum mitogens, have diverse hormone-like activities, and function in tumorigenesis. FGF's ability to raise the concentration of intracellular calcium ion suggests that FGF could induce the synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and consequently vasodilation. Systemic administration of FGF decreased arterial blood pressure. This effect was mediated by EDRF and by adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium ion channels. The hypotensive effect of FGF was segregated from its mitogenic activity by protein engineering. These results extend the range of FGF autocrine activities and potential therapeutic applications, emphasize the role of endothelium as an arterial blood pressure--regulating organ, and provide insight on the structural basis of FGF functions.