Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Modulates The Surface Expression Of Effector Cell Molecules And Primes Respiratory Burst Activity In Human Neutrophils

Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) mediates a variety of biological responses such as angiogenesis and hematopoiesis, We examined the effect of b-FGF on human neutrophil functions in vitro. The surface expression of effector cell molecules on neutrophils was determined by flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies. b-FGF increased the expression of CD11b leukocyte integrin and complement receptor type 1 on neutrophils and decreased the expression of L-selectin on neutrophils in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We also examined the effect of b-FGF on the respiratory burst activity in neutrophils. Although b-FGF alone did not induce intracellular oxidative product formation by neutrophils, it enhanced H2O2 production in neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or phorbol myristate acetate, These findings suggest that b-FGF may participate in the inflammatory process via modulating the surface expression of effector cell molecules and enhancing respiratory burst activity in neutrophils. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.