NTU Undergraduates' research April 2014 - Biosciences | Page 99

Measurement of transforming growth
factor-β in wounded cell monolayer and
the role of tissue transglutaminase in
activation.

Background. The process of wound healing can be made quicker by the activation of Transforming
growth factor β (TGF beta). This growth factor is important in healing process and scarring. The
presence of tissue transglutaminase can increase the activation of TGF beta by cross linking the
Large Latent Complex (LLC) to the extracellular matrix.
Methods. To investigate if wounding changes TGF beta measurements we carried out a simple
scratch assay and used the mink lung cell bioassay to assess TGF beta activity.
Results. The wounding of cells increases the amount of active TGF beta found in the extracellular
matrix. The addition of TG2 increases also increases the amount of active TGF beta while the use of
an inhibitor of TG2 decreases the amount of active TGF beta.
Conclusions. Wounding of the cells increases the activation of TGF beta but not the production of
latent TGF beta. TG2 has positive effect on activation of latent TGF beta.