EGF, basic FGF, and TGF beta-1 messenger RNA production in rabbit corneal epithelial cells.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to demonstrate that rabbit corneal epithelial cells produce messenger RNAs coding for epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGFb), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta 1) ex vivo and in primary culture. EGF, FGFb, and TGF beta 1 mRNAs were detected in central and peripheral ex vivo epithelial tissue in wounded and unwounded rabbit corneas. Southern blots of the PCR products were probed with oligonucleotides to demonstrate that the appropriately sized amplification products were specific. These results suggest that corneal epithelial cells produce growth factors that may have autocrine or paracrine effects on epithelial cells, and possibly other cells of the cornea. The functions, if any, performed by these growth factors in corneal epithelial wound healing are yet to be elucidated.