Insulin like growth factor-1 and -2 and their role in the re-epithelialisation of wounds; interactions with insulin like growth factor binding protein type 1.

Insulin like growth factor (IGF) 1 and 2 which are present and actively synthesised in the wound fluid stimulate several cell types involved in the process of wound healing. To investigate the role of IGF-1 and 2 and in addition, the association between IGF and their carrier proteins, IGF binding proteins (IGFBP), we have used a newly established model for human wound healing in fresh biopsy material. Histological examination shows that IGF-1 stimulates efficient reepithelialisation of the wounds both alone and in the presence of recombinant IGFBP-1. In contrast, IGF-2 stimulates healing only when used in combination with IGFBP-1. These findings suggest that the two IGFs and their carrier proteins may function during different phases of wound healing and that both IGF-1 and 2 act as potent inducers of wound healing; this may have direct clinical implications.