Epidermal Growth Factor

Informationen über den Hautwachstumsfaktor EGF

Der EGF fördert:

  • das Hautwachstum,
  • die Hautregeneration,
  • den Hautwiederaufbau und
  • die Wundheilung.

Quelle: By Chua K, Sim W, Racine V, Lee S, Goh B, Thiery J [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons.

What to know about EGF: the science behind it

The epidermal growth factor (EGF), is a protein (polypeptide) and signaling molecule, a natural component of the skin which stimulates cell growth and regulates cell proliferation (proliferation is the growth of cell tissue). Growth factors are proteins which carry signals from one cell to another (signal proteins), thus transmitting information.

With increasing age, the body produces less and less EGF. By providing more EGF to the body, the cell turnover can be increased once again. It is then transmitted to the EGF receptors of the skin cells and communicates with the DNA to promote skin renewal. The cells relay this pulse to their neighbouring cells. This signal continues to the collagen producing cells in the deeper layers of the skin. The EGF thus acts as a cell-activating messenger, which ensures that regeneration and healing processes are set into motion quickly.

Through the accelerated cell renewal, the skin’s aging process is counteracted and the renewal process is enhanced and optimized. Thanks to the cell, elastin and collagen regeneration: skin stability is improved and the skin density can be increased by up to 30%. The skin the skin remains smooth and elastic and wrinkles are reduced. Due to the increase collagen production, the skin becomes firmer.

In 1986, the discovery of the EGF and its effects were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

The EGF proteins interact with four different receptors: HER1 (also EGF Receptor), HER2, HER3 and HER4. The epidermal growth factor receptors (HER1), serve as a binding protein on the cell’s surface. Through this interaction, information is passed on, which leads to different cell types being stimulated, enabling the skin to regenerate faster and more efficiently. In the membrane of a healthy cell, approximately 40,000 to 100,000 EGFR molecules are present. Activation of the EGF receptor is achieved by extracellular binding of ligands, such as: EGF, transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a), heparin-binding EGF and others whose signal is directed to the cell interior (signal transduction). This results in the stimulation of cell growth and the optimization of apoptosis, programmed cell death.

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