Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in human serum. Association with high blood cholesterol and heart hypertrophy

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) belongs to the EGF family of growth factors which are ligands of the ErbB receptors. Studies in animals suggest the role of HB-EGF in several pathogenic processes such as atherosclerosis and heart hypertrophy. Here, we set up an assay to measure HB-EGF in human serum. Our ELISA determined serum HB-EGF in the range of 0.03–3 nM. It did not cross-react with EGF or with transforming growth factor-α. The mean serum HB-EGF was 0.26 nM (confidence interval: 0.13–0.39) in women and 0.28 nM (confidence interval: 0.09–0.47) in men. In a cohort of 121 healthy volunteers, we identified nine individuals with high serum HB-EGF (above 0.47 nM). These individuals had higher left ventricle mass (determined by Colour Doppler echocardiography) and greater total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol than control. On the basis of our results, we propose that increased serum HB-EGF is associated with heart hypertrophy and elevated blood cholesterol.