[Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF): myth or reality?].

Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor (HB-EGF) is growth factor member of EGF family that stimulate differentiation and growth. HB-EGF was initially identified as a secreted product of human macrophage-like cells, it is sinthetized as a transmembrana protein; proHB-EGF; that is shed by specific metalloproteases, releasing soluble growth factor(sHB-EGF). It exerts biological activity trough activation of the EGFR. sHB-EGF is implicated in diverse biological processes: angiogenesis, shin wound, blastocysts implantation, atherosclerosis, tumor formation moreover it acts as the Diphtheria Toxin (DT) receptor. HB-EGF It's an important molecule because could be a novel targeting for cancer and atherosclerosis therapy.