EGF stimulates both cyclooxygenase activity and cell proliferation of cultured guinea pig gastric mucous cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin all dose-dependently stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation into guinea pig gastric mucous cells cultured in vitro. On the other hand, other growth factors, e.g., platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and gastrointestinal hormones, such as gastrin, had no effect on DNA synthesis in these cells. Exposure of the cells to EGF at concentrations which stimulated DNA synthesis caused increases in both prostaglandin (PG) E2 release and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme protein synthesis, as evaluated by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that such increases in DNA synthesis and PGE2 release may be involved, at least in part, in the mechanism of EGF-induced local regulation of gastric mucosal integrity.