Proliferation of corneal epithelium induced by epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor stimulates the proliferation of corneal epithelium both in organ culture and in vivo. This induction of hyperplasia has been demonstrated histologically with embryonic human and chick corneas in culture. The topical application of the factor to the eyes of rabbits with corneal wounds resulted in a marked hyperplasia resembling that observed in culture. However, the effect noted in vivo was transient and the epithelium rapidly regressed to its normal thickness.