Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor （HGF） on migration and apoptosis of, as well as phosphorylated-Akt （p-Akt） expression in cultured human eccrine sweat gland epithelial cells （hESGc）. Methods The first generation of hESGc were cultured in keratinocyte serum free medium （KSFM） and treated with various concentrations （2, 20, 40 μg/L） of HGF for different durations. Then, cell scratch test was performed to detect cell migration, a double staining flow cytometry assay using annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide to detect cell apoptosis, and Western blot to measure the expression of p-Akt. Results HGF of 2 μg/L had no effect on the migration of hESGc, while that of 20 μg/L and 40 μg/L could promote the migration of hESGc by 33.2% and 228.2%, respectively. The average number of cells migrating into the scrach zone was significantly lower in untreated cell group than that in 20 and 40 μg/L HGF-treated cell group （17.3 ± 5.5 vs 23.0 ± 6.3 and 56.7 ± 7.9, t = 2.653, 15.858, P < 0.05, 0.01, respectively）. The apoptosis rate was 14.76% in untreated cells, 14.16%, 13.5% and 8.87% in cells treated with HGF of 2, 20 and 40 μg/L, respectively; there was a significant difference between untreated cells and 40 μg/L HGF-treated cells （t = 7.852, P < 0.01）. HGF could activate the phosphorylation of Akt protein and increase the expression of p-Akt. Conclusion HGF could promote the migration of，inhibit the apoptosis of, and stimulate the p-Akt expression in, hESGc.

Key words: Hepatocyte growth factor, Eccrine sweat gland, Epithelial cells, cell migration, cell apoptosis