Acidic fibroblast growth factor accelerates dermal wound healing

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a potent mitogen in vitro for many cells of ectodermal and mesodermal embryonic origin including skin-derived epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells. Based on the mitogenic activity for these skin-derived cells, we tested the ability of topically applied aFGF to promote healing of full-thickness dermal wounds in healthy rodents. Low doses of aFGF can produce almost a two-fold maximum acceleration in the rate of closure of full-thickness dermal punch biopsy wounds in young healthy mice and rats. The mitogen also produces a 3 to 4 day acceleration in the time to complete closure in rats. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis of wound tissue shows that aFGF induces a marked stimulation of angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and the growth of new epithelium, but does not promote dermal contraction. Application of aFGF to linear incisions in rat skin produces a transient increase in wound tensile strength accompanied by enhanced cellularity and deposition of collagen. Therefore, aFGF functions as a pharmacological agent that can accelerate dermal wound healing in rodents and could act therapeutically to promote dermal tissue repair in humans.