Growth factor regulation of the renal cortical tubular cells by epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-I, acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β in serum free culture

Abstract of cultured rabbit renal cortical cells containing more than 50% of proximal tubular cells have been investigated. It was consequently found that epidermal growth factor exhibited the most potent growth promoting activity. In addition, insulin-like growth factor-I and acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor also stimulated the growth of cultured tubular cells, though no effect was observed in platelet derived growth factor. In contrast, transforming growth factor-β was found to be the only growth inhibitor of the tubular cells in the presence of insulin or fibroblast growth factor.