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The role of epidermal growth factor in the healing tympanic membrane following perforation in rats

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Abstract

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) has been identified as playing a critical role in the wound healing process. The objective of this study is to investigate the role that EGF plays in rat tympanic membrane (TM) wound healing using two techniques, microarray and immunohistochemistry. The tympanic membranes of rats were perforated using a sterile needle and sacrificed at time points during 2 weeks following perforation. The normalized signal intensities at the time points for EGF and associated genes are presented. The rat EGF mRNA did not change significantly between time points. Five associated proteins, including heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor were found to be differentially expressed above a two fold threshold at 12 h following perforation. EGF staining was found at low levels in the uninjured TM. Levels of EGF staining increased at 24 h in the basal keratinocyte layer, became diffusely elevated in the specimen at 36 h, before a second peak in staining of the keratinocyte layer at Day 4. The staining of EGF corresponds to its multiple roles in TM wound healing.

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Acknowledgments

Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation for the funding of this study, Assoc Professor Robert Eikelboom for editorial support, Medtronic for sponsorship and supply of microsurgical instruments, and Zeiss for sponsorship of the otomicroscope. The authors acknowledge the facilities, scientific and technical assistance of the Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility at the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation & Analysis, and The University of Western Australia, a facility funded by The University, State and Commonwealth Governments.

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The authors do not have any financial interests in companies or other entities that have an interest in the information in the Contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Peter L. Santa Maria, Sharon L. Redmond & Marcus D. Atlas

  2. Ear Science Institute Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Peter L. Santa Maria, Sharon L. Redmond & Marcus D. Atlas

  3. c/o Department of ENT, E Block Outpatients, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Peter L. Santa Maria

  4. Department of Haematology, Experimental Haematology Research Unit, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Reza Ghassemifar

  5. The School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Reza Ghassemifar

Authors
  1. Peter L. Santa Maria
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  2. Sharon L. Redmond
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  3. Marcus D. Atlas
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  4. Reza Ghassemifar
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Correspondence to Peter L. Santa Maria.

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Santa Maria, P.L., Redmond, S.L., Atlas, M.D. et al. The role of epidermal growth factor in the healing tympanic membrane following perforation in rats. J Mol Hist 41, 309–314 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-010-9287-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-010-9287-1

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