CANINE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT FIBROBLAST-CULTURE IN A DEFINED MEDIUM - EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTORS AND PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH-FACTORS

Wounded ACL heal very poorly. Following ligament rupture, the initial scar tissue is highly unorganized and is mechanically and biochemically very different from the normal tissue. As fibroblasts play the main part in ligament healing and remodelling process, we try to construct a model of fibroblast's response to various environmental conditions. This type of model would provide a solid ground for improving therapies. A fibroblast strain has been isolated from canine ACL. A totally defined, serum-free medium has been optimized for that strain. We adapted and modified the common techniques, using radio-isotopes, for quantifying DNA, collagen and proteoglycan synthesis. Dose-response curves obtained by these methods are given for Epidermal Growth Factors and Platelet Derived Growth Factors. Both factors are mitogenic, PDGF more so than EGF. Collagen production is affected by neither, while PG synthesis is down-regulated by PDGF.