Interaction between epidermal growth factor and triamcinolone acetonide in mouse palatal mesenchymal cells in vitro

Palatal mesenchymal cells from mouse embryos (MEPM cells) had a high number of specific receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF). At 37 degrees C, the number of high-affinity receptors (dissociation constant, Kd of 6.0 X 10(-10) M) was 2.0 X 10(5) per cell and of low-affinity receptors (Kd of 2.9 X 10(-9) M), 3.8 X 10(5) per cell. At 2 degrees C, a single class of receptors (Kd of 4.8 X 10(-9) M) was detected at 1.8 X 10(5) per cell. Triamcinolone acetonide, a potent cleft-palate-inducing agent, slightly inhibited the recovery of 125I-labelled EGF binding capacity in MEPM cells after down regulation of EGF receptors; it did not affect the binding properties of 125I-labelled EGF in these cells.