Expression, Microencapsulation of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor, and Release Study in Gastric Ulcer Representing Condition

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has been studied and expressed in various expression systems. It has been also commercialized and clinically used, yet limited to topical diseases. However, being naturally expressed in different tissues, the rhEGF is potential to be applied not only for external wound and skin disorders, but also to regenerates internal damaged epidermal cells such found in gastric ulcer. In the recent study, chitosan microparticles were developed to facilitate delivery of the rhEGF and to overcome gastric degradation that majorly interfere protein, particularly rhEGF oral administration. The rhEGF was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) and purified using Ni-NTA chromatography. The refolded rhEGF showed proliferation activity on MC7 cells. rhEGF loaded chitosan microparticles were stable in the gastric and specifically released the loaded rhEGF in the high oxidative environment in acidic pH representing gastric ulcer condition.