Effects of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors on the proliferation of rabbit corneal cells

Effects of acidic and basic forms of Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF, bFGF) on cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were studied in stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells of rabbit cornea. Both aFGF and bFGF enhance proliferation of sparse cells and trigger DNA synthesis in confluent cultures. Stromal fibroblasts are more sensitive to aFGF than to bFGF in DNA synthesis. No significant difference was seen in the proliferation. Epithelial cells maintained in medium allowing survival are equally sensitive to aFGF and bFGF regardless of the assay used.