血小板生长因子(PDGF-BB)刺激体外培养兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞DNA和蛋白质合成

应用细胞培养、３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ和３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入方法,观察血小板生长因子ＢＢ（Ｐｌａｔｅｌｅｔ－ｄｅｒｉｖｅｄＧｒｏｗｔｈＦａｃｔｏｒＢＢ）对体外培养兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞ＤＮＡ和蛋白质合成的影响。结果表明：（１）当ＰＤＧＦ－ＢＢ浓度为１０ｎｇ／ｍｌ时,３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ掺入值已较对照组显著增高（６２６２．５±４１２．９ｖｓ８３３．５±１２４．０,Ｐ＜０．０５）;当ＰＤＧＦ－ＢＢ浓度为２０ｎｇ／ｍｌ时,３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入值亦较对照线显著增高（１０２１２．８±６３８．３ｖｓ７３４０．３±１１９７．９,Ｐ＜０．０５）。（２）ＰＤＧＦ－ＢＢ浓度在５－２５ｎｇ／ｍｌ范围内,３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ,３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入值与剂量直线相关（ｒＤＮＡ＝０．９７,ｒｐｒｏｔ＝０．９０Ｐ＜０．０５）。说明ＰＤＧＦ－ＢＢ刺激体外培养兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞ＤＮＡ和蛋白质合成。     

血小板生长因子（PDGF—BB）刺激体外培养兔肺动脉平滑肌细？…

应用细胞培养、＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ和＾３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入方法,观察血小板生长因子ＢＢ对体外培养兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞ＤＮＡ和蛋白质合成的影响。结果表明：（１）当ＰＤＧＦ－ＢＢ浓度为１０ｎｇ／ｍｌ时,＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ掺入值已较对照组显著提高（６２６２．５±４１２．９ｖｓ８３３．５±１２４．０,Ｐ〈０．０５）;当ＰＤＧＦ－ＢＢ浓度为２０ｎｇ／ｍｌ时,＾３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入值亦较对照线显著增高（１０２１２     

重组人肝细胞生长因子抗四氯化碳染毒小鼠肝的保护效应

为检测重组人肝细胞生长因子（ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ）的保肝作用,本工作观察到ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ降低ＣＣｌ４染毒小鼠血清ＡＬＴ和ＡＳＴ升高的幅度,减轻肝组织受损的程度和防止肝细胞器的破坏,而且,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ的这种保肝效应所需剂量极小,为ｎｇ级。根据上述资料推测,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ为一极有效的保护小鼠肝抗ＣＣｌ４损伤的生长因子     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对大鼠肾小球系膜细胞原癌基因c-fos和c-myc表达的影响

在建立大鼠肾小球系膜细胞（ＭＣ）体外培养方法的基础上,通过３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入实验,ＲＮＡ印迹分析和斑点杂交观察ｂＦＧＦ对ＭＣＤＮＡ合成及原癌基因ｃ－ｆｏｓ和ｃ－ｍｙｃ表达的影响．结果表明,ｂＦＧＦ作用于ＭＣ１８ｈ,ＭＣ的３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入率明显增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）,２４ｈ达到高峰（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ｂＦＧＦ显著诱导原癌基因ｃ－ｆｏｓ和ｃ－ｍｙｃ表达,其表达活性分别于３０ｍｉｎ和１ｈ达到高峰．提示ｂＦＧＦ是ＭＣ的强效丝裂原,其对ＭＣＤＮＡ合成的促进作用与诱导原癌基因ｃ－ｆｏｓ和ｃ－ｍｙｃ表达有关．     

5—羟色胺对肺动脉平滑肌细胞在缺氧条件下增殖的作用

本研究应用细胞培养、＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ掺入,核酸分子杂交、免疫组织化学染色技术,探讨无氧（０％Ｏ２＋９５％Ｎ２＋５％ＣＯ２）和／或低氧（２．５￣３％Ｏ２＋９２％Ｎ２＋５％ＣＯ２）对新生小牛肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖和５－羟色胺转载体基因表达的影响。结果表明：无氧２４ｈ可刺激ＰＡＳＭ的ＤＮＡ合成,＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ的掺入增加（Ｐ〈０．０５）,加入５－羟色胺能非常显著地促进无氧ＰＡＳＭ增殖（Ｐ〈０．００１）,而对常     

硒对培养人胚肝细胞Ⅲ型前胶原,羟脯氨酸合成的影响

原代培养人胚肝细胞经１．１５６×１０￣(－７）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ硒预处理４ｈ,加入２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ四氟化碳作用２０ｈ,观察硒对其Ⅲ型前胶原（ＰＣⅢ）和羟脯氨酸（Ｈｙｐ）生成的影响。结果培养液中ＰＣⅢ水平、细胞内Ｈｙｐ含量及细胞内外丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）水平均降低,与未加硒对照组比较差别有显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１）。而硒谷腕甘肽过氧化物酶（Ｓｅ－ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ）活性则较对照组显著增高（Ｐ＜０．００１）,且ＰＣⅢ水平与Ｓｅ－ＧＳＨ－Ｐ＿Ｘ／ＭＤＡ比值呈负相关（ｒ＝－０．９１５６,Ｐ＜０．０１）。提示硒可提高Ｓｅ－ＧＳＨ－Ｐ＿Ｘ／ＭＤＡ比值,抑制脂质过氧化激发的肝细胞胶原合成。     

人主动脉硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖对培养的人血管壁细胞生长的作用

通过培养的人主动脉平滑肌细胞（ｈＡＳＭＣ）及脐静脉内皮细胞（ｈＵＶＥＣ）,应用３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入、Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ分析、逆转录多聚酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）、放射免疫分析（ＲＩＡ）、和紫外比色法等技术观察了人主动脉中硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖（ＨＳＰＧ）对ｈＡＳＭＣ和ｈＵＶＥＣＤＮＡ合成的作用及对血小板源生长因子（ＰＤＧＦ）、ＰＤＧＦ受体、转化生长因子β（ＴＧＦ－β）、内皮素－１（ＥＴ－１）或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（ｂＦＧＦ）基因表达和肾素－血管紧张系统（ＲＡＳ）的影响,结果显示,ＨＳＰＧ明显抑制培养的ｈＡＳＭＣ基础的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：１０３８５±３２６３ｖｓ,２５５４１±６４２１,Ｐ＜０．０１）及外源性ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：９８７８±１９４７ｖｓ．１３４８１±４４ｌ０,Ｐ＜０．０５）;抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－Ｂｐ和ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,提高ＰＤＧＦａ和β受体ｍＲＮＡ的表达;显著降低ｈＡＳＭＣ培养液中血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）的浓度和血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）的活性,推测ＨＳＰＧ抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－β及ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,降低ＡＣＥ活性及ＡｎｇⅡ浓度是其抑制ｈＡＳＭＣ增殖的重要机     

肝细胞生长因子对四氯化碳损伤原代培养大鼠肝细胞的保护作用

本工作采用无血清原代培养大鼠肝细胞法,观察了重组人肝细胞生长因子（ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ）对四氯化碳（ＣＣｌ４）致大鼠肝细胞损伤的保护作用。结果表明,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ对ＣＣｌ４染毒肝细胞有明显的保护作用。ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ保护组较ＣＣｌ４染毒组细胞存活率显著升高,细胞内丙氨酸转氨酶、钾离子漏出明显降低。结果提示,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ可减轻ＣＣｌ４对肝细胞膜的损伤,提高细胞膜的结构完整性     

粉防己碱抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖及对HSP70和p53表达的影响

目的：观察粉防己碱（Ｔｅｔ）对ＶＳＭＣ增殖的作用及对热应激蛋白７０ｋｄ（ＨＳＰ７０）及其ｍＲＮＡ和抑癌基因ｐ５３ｍＲＮＡ的影响。方法：用内皮素建立培养的血管平滑肌细胞增殖模型。采用氚－胸腺嘧啶核苷（［３Ｈ］ＴｄＲ）掺入法流式细胞术,Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ及Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ杂交方法。结果：Ｔｅｔ能逆转内皮素所致的［３Ｈ］ＴｄＲ掺入量增多（Ｐ＜０．０１）,阻止血管平滑肌细胞由静止期（Ｇ０／Ｇ１期）进入ＤＮＡ合成期（Ｓ期）和有丝分裂期（Ｇ２／Ｍ期）,并能逆转内皮素引起的ＨＳＰ７０及ｍＲＮＡ表达增强（Ｐ＜０．０１或Ｐ＜０．０５）,ｐ５３抑癌基因ｍＲＮＡ表达减弱（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论：Ｔｅｔ能抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖,与ＨＳＰ７０及ｐ５３的调控有关     

重组人肝细胞生成素的生物学性能

利用ＭＴＳ及３ＨＴｄＲ掺入法,首次观察了重组人肝细胞生成素（ｒｅｃｏｍｂｉｎａｎｔｈｕｍａｎｈｅｐａｔｏｐｏｉｅｔｉｎ,ｒｈＨＰＯ）在体外对原代培养大鼠肝细胞及肝癌细胞增殖的正向调控作用。结果表明ｒｈＨＰＯ是一种重要的肝细胞增殖刺激因子,可望成为临床治疗肝病的新药物。同时也观察到ｒｈＨＰＯ可以在体外抑制肺癌细胞ＤＮＡ的合成,为探究其作用机理提供了有益的提示。     

Amino acid-rich medium (Leibovitz L-15) enhances and prolongs proliferation of primary cultured rat hepatocytes in the absence of serum.

Multiple rounds of cell division were induced in primary cultured rat hepatocytes in serum-free, modified L-15 medium supplemented with 20 mM NaHCO3 and 10 ng/ml EGF in a 5% CO2/95% air incubator. A 150% increase in cell number and DNA content was observed between day 1 and day 5. The time course of DNA synthesis of hepatocytes cultured in L-15 medium differed from that in DMEM/F12 medium in that there were four peaks of 3H-thymidine incorporation in the L-15 medium, at 60 h, 82 h, 96 h, and 120 h, but only one peak at 48 h in modified DMEM/F12 medium. Labeling studies of the hepatocytes indicated that more than 60% of the cells were stained with antibromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) antibody in the periods of 48-72 h and 72-96 h after plating at densities between 1.5 x 10(5) and 6.0 x 10(5) cells per 35-mm dish. Even at a density of 9.0 x 10(5) cells/dish, about 40% of the cell nuclei were stained with BrdU in the periods of 48-72 h and 72-96 h. In addition, about 20% of the hepatocytes in culture initiated a second round of the cell cycle between 48 and 96 h in culture. Proliferating cells, which were mononucleate with a little cytoplasm, appeared in small clusters or colonies in the culture from day 4. These proliferating cells produced albumin. The addition of essential amino acids to the DMEM/F12 medium enhanced the DNA synthesis of hepatocytes, thus indicating that the higher level of amino acids in L-15 medium may be an important factor in its enhanced ability to support the proliferation of primary cultured rat hepatocytes.     

Transforming growth factor beta inhibits DNA synthesis in hepatocytes isolated from normal and regenerating rat liver

The inhibitory action of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) on DNA synthesis in hepatocytes isolated from the liver of normal rats or from the liver remnant of rats 18 h following partial hepatectomy was compared. Continuous exposure to TGF beta inhibited DNA synthesis of cultured hepatocytes to a similar degree in both groups when labelled with 3H thymidine from 24-48 h or 48-72 h. At 20 pM TGF beta, 3H-thymidine incorporation was reduced by 64-78% in hepatocytes from normal liver and by 60-73% in cells from 18 h regenerating liver. The nuclear labelling index was reduced by 70-80% in all cells. Exposure to TGF beta at concentrations up to 500 pM from 0-24 h had no effect on 3H-thymidine incorporation, but exposure at 20 pM for 24 h periods thereafter was uniformally effective. These results indicate that there is no change in sensitivity of hepatocytes from 18 h regenerating liver to TGF beta, compared with normal cells, and that TGF beta may act at some point in the G1 phase of the cell cycle to inhibit hepatocyte growth.     

Tumor necrosis factor stimulates DNA synthesis of mouse hepatocytes in primary culture and is suppressed by transforming growth factor beta and interleukin 6.

In a previous study, we revealed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was secreted in mouse liver at an early phase of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Here, we investigated direct actions of TNF on the in vitro DNA synthesis of adult mouse hepatocytes in primary culture. TNF enhanced both 3H-TdR uptake and the number of 3H-TdR-labeled nuclei of hepatocytes. Their time courses were similar to those by epidermal growth factor (EGF) with about a 15 h lag period and a peak period of 24-48 h. This action of TNF was abrogated by DNA polymerase alpha inhibitor, aphidicolin and blocked specifically by anti-TNF antibody. The actions of rmTNF and rhTNF were not distinguishable; ED50 was about 7.5U/ml (5ng/ml) and 30U/ml (20ng/ml) for maximal response (about 2-fold or more of control). Other inflammatory monokines showed differential effects on in vitro DNA synthesis of hepatocyte. Neither type of interleukin 1 affected hepatocyte DNA synthesis in the range examined (up to 50 ng/ml). IL-6 markedly inhibited the hepatocyte DNA synthesis stimulated by TNF and EGF. The action of TNF was completely suppressed by transforming growth factor beta, which is known as a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte growth. Interferon gamma also blocked this TNF action when added simultaneously. These results indicate that the activation of tissue macrophages and local secretion of TNF in liver after partial hepatectomy is of physiological importance in liver regeneration, in part by a direct stimulation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis. Cytokines induced by TNF may also participate in the later termination of liver regeneration.     

Bovine thyrotropin inhibits DNA synthesis inversely with stimulation of cyclic AMP production in cultured porcine thyroid follicles

The effects of bovine thyrotropin (TSH) on DNA synthesis and cyclic AMP production were studied in porcine thyroid follicles using suspension culture. During the early 72 hours incubation, the time-dependent uptake of [3H]thymidine by the follicles was observed. In the presence of 10 mU/ml TSH, the uptake of [3H] thymidine was significantly depressed at 72 hours incubation. TSH inhibition of [3H] thymidine incorporation was related to its concentration and the 50% inhibition was observed by using 1.0 mU/ml TSH. Under the same conditions, cyclic AMP production was stimulated by TSH and the stimulation was observed to be related to TSH concentration. In these experiments, the incubation time was 30 min. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, an analogue of cyclic AMP, inhibited the [3H] thymidine uptake at 72 hours incubation. From these results, it is suggested that TSH inhibits DNA synthesis, and that the inhibition may be mediated by cyclic AMP that is produced by TSH stimulation.     

Interleukin-1 beta is a potent growth inhibitor of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) strongly inhibited DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture stimulated by insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Its effect was dose-dependent and was maximal at 2 ng/ml. IL-1 beta had no cytotoxic effect but changed the cells from a flat to a spindle shape as shown by phase-contrast microscopy. The inhibition of DNA synthesis by IL-1 beta was closely correlated with a decrease in the labeling index. This inhibitory effect was observed only when IL-1 beta was added for 10 h to cultured hepatocytes in the G1 phase within 12 h after addition of insulin and EGF: it was not observed in the S phase, which starts about 24 h after addition of the mitogens. Exposure of the hepatocytes to IL-1 beta for two 1-h periods, one at an early stage (0-6 h) and one at a late stage (6-12 h) of the G1 phase, resulted in the same marked inhibition of DNA synthesis as exposure to IL-1 beta for 10 h in the G1 phase. This requirement of IL-1 beta at two stages in the G1 phase for inhibition of DNA synthesis of hepatocytes is different from that with transforming growth factor-beta, which is required for only 1 h in the early G1 phase for a similar inhibition. These findings suggest that IL-1 beta acts at two distinct stages in the G1 phase and that its cooperative actions are necessary to inhibit growth of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Other cytokines, such as IL-6/B-cell stimulating factor-2, were less potent, but caused significant inhibition of DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes at 2 ng/ml, whereas IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor did not affect hepatocyte growth. From these results it is suggested that Kupffer cells in liver lobules and macrophages in the blood may play important roles, mainly via IL-1, in repair of liver damage and regeneration.     

Effect of tryptophan on isolated hepatocytes of rats

The addition of tryptophan to adult rat hepatocyte cultures stimulated DNA synthesis. The increase in DNA synthesis as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA was observed on treatment of the cultures with tryptophan for 48 h but also as short as for 6 h in comparison with control cultures. An increase was also apparent at 30 h which was maintained for up to 48 h post treatment with tryptophan. The increase in DNA synthesis by tryptophan cannot be attributed to cell injury or to increased DNA degradation. Of the degradative enzymes added after harvesting the hepatocytes, only DNase decreased incorporation of 3H-thymidine. The observed effect was specific for tryptophan since treatment with kynurenine, isoleucine, methionine or serine failed to show a significant effect. Pretreatment of cultured hepatocytes with hydroxyurea prevented the tryptophan stimulated increase in DNA synthesis suggesting that the latter was due to replicative and not to reparative DNA synthesis. Experiments performed with the addition of diethylnitrosamine also alluded to tryptophan's role in replicative DNA synthesis. The mechanism of tryptophan-induced DNA synthesis is discussed.     

表皮生长因子对肝细胞醋氨酚急性损伤的保护作用

本工作采用无血清培养的小鼠原代肝细胞制备了醋氨急性肝损伤模型,然后利用该模型观察了表皮生长因子（ＥＧＦ）对肝细胞的保护作用。结果如下：（１）小鼠原代肝细胞无血清培养液中加入终深度度为２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ的醋氨酚培养１２－１４ｈ后,培养液中ＧＰＴ和ＧＰＴ的活性明显升高,可作为一种适当的肝细胞损伤。（２）提前１ｈ加入不同剂量（５０,１００,５００,１０００ｎｇ／ｍｌ）的ＥＧＦ可减轻醋氨酚相起的肝细胞损伤。     

Modulation of mitogen-independent hepatocyte proliferation during the perinatal period in the rat

Summary Late gestation fetal rat hepatocytes can proliferate under defined in vitro conditions in the absence of added mitogens. However, this capacity declines with advancing gestational age of the fetus from which the hepatocytes are derived. The present studies were undertaken to investigate this change in fetal hepatocyte growth regulation. Examination of E19 fetal hepatocyte primary cultures using immunocytochemistry for 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation showed that approximately 80% of these cells traverse S-phase of the cell cycle over the first 48 h in culture. Similarly, 65% of E19 hepatocytes maintained in culture under defined mitogen-free conditions for 24 h showed nuclear expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). These in vitro findings correlated with a high level of immunoreactive PCNA in immunofluorescent analyses of E19 liver. In contrast, E21 (term) liver showed little immunoreactive PCNA. The in vivo finding was recapitulated by in vitro studies showing that E21 hepatocytes had low levels of BrdU incorporation during the first day in culture and were PCNA negative shortly after isolation. However, within 12 h of plating, E21 hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic staining for PCNA. Although maintained under mitogen-free conditions, PCNA expression progressed synchronously to a nucleolar staining pattern at 24 to 48 h in culture followed by intense, diffuse nuclear staining at 60 h which disappeared by 72 h. This apparently synchronous cell cycle progression was confirmed by studies showing peak BrdU incorporation on the third day in culture. Whereas DNA synthesis by both E19 and E21 hepatocytes was potentiated by transforming growth factor α (TGFα), considerable mitogen-independent DNA synthesis was seen in hepatocytes from both gestational ages. These results may indicate that fetal hepatocytes come under the influence of an exogenous, in vivo growth inhibitory factor as term approaches and that this effect is relieved when term fetal hepatocytes are cultured.     

Suppressive role of endogenous regucalcin in the enhancement of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis activity in the nucleus of regenerating rat liver

The role of endogenous regucalcin in the regulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis activity in the nuclei of regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy was investigated. The addition of regucalcin (0.25 and 0.5 microM) in the reaction mixture caused a significant decrease in the nuclear DNA synthesis activity of normal rat liver. This decrease was also seen in the presence of Ca2+-chelator EGTA (0.4 mM), indicating that the effect of regucalcin is not related to nuclear Ca2+. Nuclear DNA activity was significantly increased in the presence of anti-regucalcin monoclonal antibody (10-50 ng/ml) in the reaction mixture. The effect was completely abolished by the addition of regucalcin (0.5 microM). Nuclear DNA synthesis activity was significantly increased at 24, 48, and 72 h after partial heptectomy. The effect of anti-regucalcin monoclonal antibody (25 ng/ml) in increasing nuclear DNA synthesis activity was significantly enhanced at 24 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy. The presence of staurospone (10(-6) M), trifluoperazine (2 x 10(-5) M), or PD98059 (10(-5) M) in the reaction mixture caused a significant decrease in DNA synthesis activity in the nuclei obtained at 24 after partial hepateactomy. The effect of these inhibitors in the presence of anti-regucalcin monoclonal antibody (25 ng/ml) was greater than that in the absence of the antibody. The present study suggests that endogenous regucalcin plays a suppressive role in the enhancement of nuclear DNA synthesis activity in regenerating liver with cell proliferation after partial hepatectomy in rats.     

Glutamic acid potentiates hepatocyte response to mitogens in primary culture

Adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture responded to epidermal growth factor (EGF) by increased DNA synthesis. When hepatocytes were cultured in Leibovitz L-15 medium, their response to EGF was low compared with that in Williams' medium E or Koga's medium L. Furthermore, female rat hepatocytes showed almost no response to the mitogenic action of EGF compared with male rat hepatocytes in L-15 medium. Addition of glutamic acid (1–20 μM) to EGF-containing L-15 medium not only enhanced DNA synthesis > tenfold in both male and female hepatocytes, but eliminated the sex differences in DNA synthesis. Aspartic acid, glutamine, or ornithine at 20 mM did not replace the glutamic acid effect on DNA synthesis. Proline also enhanced EGF-induced DNA synthesis, although it was less effective than glutamic acid. Therefore, this effect may be specific to a high concentrations of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid by itself did not stimulate DNA synthesis at any concentrations tested. In the presence of glutamic acid, EGF showed a dose-dependent (0.5–20 ng/ml) stimulation of DNA synthesis with a maximal effect at 10 ng/ml. Almost the same effect was obtained with transforming growth factor alpha (0.5–20 ng/ml). Glutamic acid also induced an expansion of the mitogenic action of angiotensin II. Since glutamic acid did not affect [¹²⁵I]EGF binding to hepatocytes or its processing, the effect may occur internal to the receptor. These results suggest that glutamic acid modulates the sensitivity of the hepatocyte response to mitogens © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.