Endogenous Production of Heparin-Binding EGF-Like Growth Factor During Murine Partial-Thickness Burn Wound Healing

The study investigated the role of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) in healing murine partial-thickness scald burns. It was found that the expression of HB-EGF mRNA and the production of HB-EGF and TGF-α proteins peaked on the fifth day post-burn, aligning with the highest rate of keratinocyte proliferation. This suggested that HB-EGF and TGF-α worked together to enhance wound healing after thermal injury by promoting epithelial cell growth and keratinocyte proliferation.