Development of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay for human epidermal growth factor (urogastrone)

Urinary Epidermal Growth Factor: A Promising "Next Generation" Biomarker in Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a globular protein that is generated in the kidney, especially in the loop of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule. While EGF is nonexistent or hardly detectable in plasma, it is present in normal people's urine. Until now, risk stratification and chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis have relied on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (uACR), both of which reflect glomerular function or impairment. Tubular dysfunction, on the other hand, may also be associated with renal failure.

SUMMARY

Because decreased urine EGF (uEGF) indicates tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis, this biomarker, together with eGFR and uACR, may be employed in the general population for risk assessment and diagnosis of CKD. uEGF levels have been shown to correlate with intrarenal EGF mRNA expression and have been found to decrease in a variety of glomerular and non-glomerular kidney disorders.

KEY MESSAGE

uEGF, uEGF/creatinine, or uEGF/monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 are possible "new generation" biomarkers linked to a variety of kidney diseases that deserve further investigation as a single biomarker or as part of a multi-biomarker panel.

Reassessment of the two-site enzyme immunoassay for human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and measurement of immunoreactive hEGF in human sera and urine

We reassessed the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for hEGF previously developed by our laboratory (Clin Chim Acta 156:51-60, 1985), since it appeared that the reported EIA system detected not only hEGF but also pS2 protein owing to minor contamination by pS2 protein in the hEGF sample used for immunization. In this study, we purified the hEGF sample using Benzamidine-Sepharose 6B column chromatography as a critical step for purification and newly developed an EIA system with specificity for hEGF. We also measured the hEGF level in serum, plasma, and urine from normal subjects by our new EIA system and found that the values measured by the previous system were 1.2-5.8-fold higher than the new system values. These results suggest that the previous system detected "hEGF" in excess owing to the nonspecificity of the antibody used. We investigated the molecular nature of immunoreactive hEGF detected in serum using our new system and confirmed that considerable amounts of immunoreactive hEGF exist as a high molecular weight form through S-S linkage with some macromolecule(s) in human blood as reported previously (Biochem Int 12:677-683, 1986).

Radioimmunoassay of epidermal growth factor in human saliva and gastric juice

A sensitive radioimmunoassay was developed for human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in saliva and gastric juice. This method was sufficiently sensitive for an accurate measurement of hEGF in these biological fluids. The minimal detectable concentration of EGF was 30 ng/L. The imprecision profile of EGF standard curve had a CV less than 10% in the range of 0.1-3.0 micrograms/L. Serial dilution curves of saliva and gastric juice paralleled that of standard EGF. The antibody to hEGF showed no cross-reactivity with a large excess of growth factors, such as human transforming growth factor alpha, human insulin-like growth factor I, and platelet-derived growth factor (c-sis). No detectable cross-reactivity was observed with some biological gut peptides: somatostatin, gastrin, secretin or pancreatic polypeptide. The intra-assay CV for saliva and gastric juice was less than 10%, and the recoveries were 93.9 +/- 8.7% and 93.7 +/- 11.3%, respectively for saliva and gastric juice. Gel exclusion chromatography revealed hEGF-like substances, heterogeneous in size in saliva and gastric juice, the origins and physiological functions of which are unknown.

Amplification immunoassay for the determination of hepatitis B surface antigen

A sensitive sandwich immunoassay for the determination of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs) was developed, using a cascade system of Limulus amebocyte lysate as a signal amplification system. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was conjugated to anti-HBs antibody. Anti-HBs antibody was adsorbed to polystyrene beads. First, HBs were reacted to solid phase anti-HBs antibody (a-HBs). After the reaction, the beads were rinsed, and were then reacted with a-HBs-LPS. Then, LPS activity specifically bound to the beads was measured. HBs could be measured in the range of 10(-10)-10(-12) g/mL.

Biological and immunological properties of human hepatocyte growth factor from plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure

We have recently purified human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), a heterodimer with molecular weight of about 83,000, from plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (Gohda, E. et al., J. Clin. Invest. 81, 414-419, 1988). Biological and immunological properties of hHGF were examined. Out of the well-known growth factors tested, only epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) stimulated DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture. hHGF enhanced the DNA synthesis at less than one-tenth of the molar concentrations of EGF and TGF-alpha. Half-maximal stimulations by hHGF, EGF and TGF-alpha were observed at 30, 400 and 900 pM, respectively. Maximal stimulation by TGF-alpha, however, was greater than those caused by hHGF and EGF. The effect of hHGF was additive with the maximal effects of EGF and TGF-alpha. Anti-hHGF antiserum was prepared in a rabbit by injecting with purified hHGF. This antiserum recognized nonreduced hHGF, but not reduced hHGF. The antiserum for hHGF did not inhibit growth-promoting activity of EGF, that was neutralized by incubation with anti-EGF antiserum. The activity of hHGF was completely inhibited by anti-hHGF antiserum, but not by anti-EGF antiserum. hHGF did not show any cross-reactivity to anti-EGF antiserum as measured by enzyme immunoassay for EGF. Thus, biological and immunological properties of hHGF are different from those of EGF and TGF-alpha.

Establishment of a human undifferentiated thyroid cancer cell line producing several growth factors and cytokines

A cell line was established from undifferentiated giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid. The authors obtained cells from a 44-year-old patient admitted because of a rapidly growing anterior neck mass. The patient had significant leukocytosis and hypercalcemia shortly before her death. An autopsy revealed epidermoid metaplasia of the tumor cells. The cells (HTC/C3) had lost most of their differentiated functions. However, their thyroid nature was shown by peroxidase staining and by enzyme-linked immunostaining with Hashimoto patients' sera. The tumor extract was found to contain parathyroid (PTH)-like activity. Significant amounts of colony stimulating factor (CSF), which was further defined to be GM-CSF, and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) were detected in the conditioned media. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to the HTC/C3 showed rich EGF receptors. Furthermore, the conditioned medium inhibited the binding of 125I-mEGF to HeLa cells, and transforming growth factor (TGF) was found repeatedly in the media.

A sensitive two-site enzyme immunoassay for human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) using monoclonal antibodies

By using monoclonal antibody against human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI), we developed a highly sensitive, simple, and reliable two-site enzyme immunoassay system. The minimum amount of PSTI detected by this EIA is approximately 10 pg/ml when a 100 microliter aliquot of the sample is used. Good reproducibilities of within- and between-assay series and excellent recovery of exogenous PSTI from serum were observed. The correlation between the values obtained by the EIA and RIA methods was given by the linear regression equation, y = 1.09x + 4.6, for which the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.980 (n = 20). Antigenicity of the trypsin-PSTI complexes was found to be approximately 10% of that of PSTI. From these results, it seems that our recently developed EIA system for PSTI is useful in clinical testing for quantitation of PSTI in body fluids, for biochemical studies on synthesis and secretion of PSTI, and also for study of pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of acute pancreatitis and certain malignant neoplasms.

Human epidermal growth factor: renal production and absence from plasma

Among the unsettled questions in the physiology of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) are (1) does EGF circulate in the blood and (2) what is the source of the abundant urinary immunoreactive EGF (irEGF). Therefore, we monitored the concentration of irEGF by an ultrasensitive assay in blood plasma from 5 healthy subjects every 20 min overnight carefully avoiding activation of platelets. Detectable levels (0.8-3.7 pM) were observed in only one of the subjects, in 5 of 29 samples. In random day-time plasma samples from 18 healthy adults, EGF was undetectable (less than 0.8 pM) in 13 subjects, and in 5 subjects EGF levels ranged from 2.2 to 4.9 pM. Furthermore, in 5 patients with a tumor in a functioning kidney we measured urinary relative irEGF concentration (nmol/mmol creatinine) before and after unilateral nephrectomy. The concentration fell by approximately 50%. Our findings are consistent with (1) blood irEGF residing exclusively in platelets, and (2) urinary irEGF originating from the kidneys.

Identification of a polypeptide secreted by human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) as the human estrogen-responsive gene (pS2) product

Human epidermal growth factor-like immunoreactive factor (designated as EGF-LI) synthesized and secreted by human breast cancer cells, strain MCF-7, was isolated in pure form. Thirty-seven micrograms of EGF-LI was purified by anion-exchange, gel permeation, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography from 2 liters of serum-free medium conditioned by the cells. The sequence of the first 36 amino acids from the N-terminus was determined with a gas-phase protein sequencer. Computer-assisted screening revealed, quite unexpectedly, this sequence to be completely identical to that of the translational product encoded by pS2, the human estrogen-responsive gene, over the region extending from residue 25 to 60 (Jakowlew, S. B. et al. (1984) Nucleic Acids Res., 12, 2861-2878).

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human epidermal growth factor (hEGF)

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) by the sandwich method with the use of orthophenylene diamine (OPDA) for the substrate of the enzyme reaction was developed. This assay showed high sensitivity, and there was no problem with the recovery rates even without any pretreatment of samples. The changes of hEGF levels in plasma and serum depend on the condition of blood storage from sampling until separation of the cell content. The levels of hEGF markedly increased with time in serum, especially when stored at room temperature but less so in plasma. Changes of hEGF levels in plasma were negligible for up to 3 h if the blood was stored at 4 degrees C until separation.

Production of an hEGF-like immunoreactive factor by human gastric cancer cells depends on differentiational state of the cells

We have extended our recent observation that human gastric cancer cells (MKN-45) synthesize and secrete an hEGF-like immunoreactive factor (designated as EGF-LI) by characterization of EGF-LI produced by five human gastric cancer cell lines in culture. Two cell lines (MKN-45 and KATO-III) derived from poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma synthesized and secreted a much larger amount of EGF-LI than three cell lines (MKN-1, MKN-28, and MKN-74) derived from well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Treatment of MKN-45 cells by retinoic acid reduced significantly synthesis and secretion of EGF-LI, suggesting that production of EGF-LI is dependent on differentiational state of gastric cancer cells.

Immunohistochemical distribution of human epidermal growth factor in salivary gland tumours

Immunohistochemical identification of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) was carried out in a total of 152 cases of salivary gland tumours, consisting 107 pleomorphic adenomas and their variants, 13 adenolymphomas and 32 adenoid cystic carcinomas. A high percentage of pleomorphic adenomas revealed markedly positive hEGF staining of the luminal surface cells of tubuloductal structures and of modified or neoplastic myoepithelial cells. Clear cells of the tumour showed various reactivities from very slight to strong. Eosinophilic epithelial cells of adenolymphoma gave a positive reaction for hEGF in all the cases, whereas most adenoid cystic adenoma lacked hEGF staining; however some cases showed positive staining of the tumour cells. The immunohistochemical detection of hEGF in most salivary gland tumours suggests this factor to be a possible new marker of salivary glands tumours, and to have a biological role in tumour proliferation.