Conjugation of 30Kc19α to basic Fibroblast Growth Factor for the enhancement of stability and its application to wound healing

Abstract

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays a crucial role in wound healing, but its inherent instability and inefficient penetration have prevented researchers from using it in practice. The short half-life, which is about 7.6 hours, diminishes its wound-healing function

the need of its application by injection indicates its inefficient penetration. 30Kc19α, bombyx mori-origin protein, was exclusively studied for enhancing stability and penetration efficiency of target proteins. The conjugation of 30Kc19α to bFGF thus enhanced the stability and increased penetration efficiency of bFGF. Prior to testing the wound healing functions, bFGF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed the increased longevity of 30Kc19α-bFGF, indicating the enhanced stability. Immunocytochemical analysis showed 30Kc19α-bFGF penetrated more efficient than bFGF. Resolving the two defects allowed for reexamination of the wound healing functions. Treatment of 30Kc19α-bFGF stimulated more proliferation of cells that that of bFGF due to the increased bioactivities of 30Kc19α-bFGF. Furthermore, wound healing assay, or wound closure assay, was conducted to evaluate effects on 30Kc19α-bFGF on cell migration and collagen synthesis. 30Kc19α-bFGF-treated cells migrated faster and synthesized more collagen, indicating accelerated wound healing in vitro.