Effect of human epidermal growth factor on cell growth and its receptor in human gastric carcinoma cell lines

The effect of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on the growth of various histological types of six human gastric carcinoma cell lines was examined. The cell lines had relatively high affinity EGF receptors (dissociation constant Kd = 10(-9) to 10(-10) M). One gastric cancer cell line, MKN-74 (well differentiated adenocarcinoma) showed no response to hEGF, in cell growth, DNA synthesis or 125I-hEGF cell binding. There were no apparent correlations between histological type and cell growth, DNA synthesis or number of EGF receptors in these cells. The number of EGF receptors and the Kd value of the gastric carcinoma cell lines varied with their internal and external environments. hEGF concentrations corresponding to maximum stimulation in DNA synthesis varied between cell lines. The results suggest some gastric carcinoma cells to have EGF receptors and their growth seemingly to be stimulated by EGF in vitro. There are, however, no obvious correlations between the effect of hEGF on the growth of human gastric carcinoma cell lines or their histological type.