Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor is expressed by mesangial cells and is involved in mesangial proliferation in glomerulonephritis.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a new member of the EGF family, is mitogenic for several types of cells, through binding to cell surface heparan sulphate proteoglycans. This study has attempted to delineate HB-EGF expression by mesangial cells and to identify its role in experimental and human glomerulonephritis. Rat mesangial cells, cultured in the presence of phorbol acetate, hydrogen peroxide, interleukin-1beta, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, expressed HB-EGF mRNA. Recombinant HB-EGF stimulated rat mesangial cells to proliferate and to express types I and III collagen. In the rat anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis, glomerular HB-EGF mRNA was up-regulated and peaked at days 5-7; its expression at the protein level in the glomerulus was prominent at days 5-10. By immunofluorescence, HB-EGF was positive predominantly in the mesangial area of renal tissues from 23 of 45 patients with various types of human glomerulonephritis, showing a significant correlation with the grade of mesangial proliferation; there was no staining in tissues from patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and normal kidney tissues. These data provide the evidence that HB-EGF is synthesized and expressed by mesangial cells and stimulates mesangial cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro. HB-EGF is a potential mediator in mesangial cell proliferation and matrix expansion in experimental and human glomerulonephritis. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.