2001 Volume 129 Issue 4 Pages 627-633
Collagen is generally incapable of capturing polypeptides such as growth factors in a specific manner. In this study, we established a collagen-binding growth factor (FNCBD-EGF) consisting of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the fibronectin collagen-binding domain. A typical yield of FNCBD-EGF was approximately 200μg/ml culture in an Escherichia coli expression system. This fusion protein bound to gelatin and fibrillar collagen sponges, and the bound protein was not effectively eluted even with 2M NaCl. In addition, FNCBD-EGF bound to type I, II, III, or IV collagen-coated plates, and the specificity of binding was confirmed by competitive inhibition using fibronectin. FNCBD-EGF substantially stimulated cell growth after binding to collagen-coated culture plates, whereas EGF had no effect, indicating that this fusion protein acted as a collagen-associated growth factor. In an animal model of impaired wound healing, FNCBD-EGF, but not EGF, was retained with collagen sponges at wound sites 4d after implantation, and repair of epidermis was observed underneath the sponges. These results suggested that our fusion protein with high collagen affinity would be useful for wound healing.