Revisiting epidermal growth factor, a growth factor we supply to the cosmetic industry.
At hannahsivak.com, we supply several active proteins to the cosmetic industry, but the human synthetic epidermal growth factor is especially dear to us. Why? For historical reasons.
In 1986, Stanley Cohen received the Nobel Prize for his work elucidating the role of EGF in regulating cell growth and development. This small protein (only 53 amino acids) enhanced epidermal growth and keratinization. Work by Cohen and his collaborators demonstrated that EGF directly stimulated the proliferation of epidermal cells, and this stimulatory action of EGF did not depend on other systemic or hormonal influences. Cells that respond to EGF do so because they have receptors on the cell membrane that recognize the factor produced by cells that may be near or far from the target cell. The binding of the growth factor to the receptor initiates a cascade of molecular events that eventually lead to cell division, among other effects. Among the practical uses of EGF is its ability to accelerate the healing of skin and corneas. Although EGF was the first growth factor to be discovered and studied, many more factors have been found since then. These growth factors differ in size and structure and, consequently, in the receptors and types of cells that recognize them and their effects on the target cell. Not all growth factors are suitable for skin care; some could have unwanted effects on normal skin.
More than 50,000 pieces of scientific literature document the activity of EGF. What is a growth factor? Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins capable of stimulating cellular proliferation and differentiation. Growth factors bind to specific receptors on cell surfaces and are important for the regulation of a variety of cellular processes. Among the practical uses of EGF is its use in accelerating healing of the skin and cornea (the outside coating of the eyeball). EGF was the first growth factor to be discovered and studied, but many more factors have been found since then. We supply keratinocyte growth factor, and will be adding a few more to our catalog.
Uses: healing, recovery after radiation therapy, melasma, anti-aging, acne.
What to look for: quantity of pure protein and activity. We supply high activity EGF and sell it by the miligram. Our EGF is >95% pure.
References
Cohen, C. (1962) Isolation of a mouse submaxillary gland protein accelerating incisor eruption and eyelid opening in the new-born animal, J. Biol. Chem. 237, 1555–1562.
Cohen, S, G.A. Elliott (1963) The stimulation of epidermal keratinization by a protein isolated from the submaxillary gland of the mouse, J. Invest. Dermatol. 40, 1–5.
Heldin P, Laurent TC, Heldin CH. Effect of growth factors on hyaluronan synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts. Biochem J 1989; 258: 919–22.
Fitzpatrick, Richard E; Rostan, Elizabeth F . (2003). Reversal of photodamage with topical growth factors: a pilot study. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 5(1), 25–34. doi:10.1080/14764170310000817
Kim HO, Kim HR, Kim JC, et al.(2021) A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Epidermal Growth Factor‐Containing Ointment on the Treatment of Solar Lentigines as Adjuvant Therapy. Vol 57. Kaunas: Medicina.13:166. doi: 10.3390/medicina57020166. PMID: 33668564; PMCID: PMC7918714.
Lyons A, Stoll J, Moy R. (2018) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face study of the efficacy of topical epidermal growth factor for the treatment of melasma. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17:970–3.
Miller-Kobisher B, Suárez-Vega DV, Velazco de Maldonado GJ. Epidermal Growth Factor in Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine: Systematic Review. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2021 Apr-Jun;14(2):137-146. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_25_20. PMID: 34566354; PMCID: PMC8423211.
Shin SH, Koh YG, Lee WG, Seok J, Park KY. The use of epidermal growth factor in dermatological practice. Int Wound J. 2023 Aug;20(6):2414-2423. doi: 10.1111/iwj.14075. Epub 2022 Dec 30. PMID: 36584669; PMCID: PMC10333026.
Wu, H.G., S.Y. Song, Y.S. Kim, Y.T. Oh, C.G. Lee, K.C. Keum, Y.C. Ahn, Sw. Lee, (2009) Therapeutic effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (RhEGF) on mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, for head and neck cancer: a double-blind placebo-controlled prospective phase 2 multi-institutional clinical trial, Cancer 115 (2009) 3699–3708.
Zeng, F., R.C. Harris (2014) Epidermal growth factor, from gene organization to bedside, Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, Elsevier, 2014, pp. 2–11.
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