Synthetic peptides derived from the basement membrane protein laminin promote heparin binding and human keratinocyte adhesion

In this study, normal human keratinocytes were isolated from neonatal foreskins and cultured in nutrient keratinocyte basal medium (Clonetics) supplemented with 5 × 10^-7 M hydrocortisone, 5 μg/ml insulin, 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, and 140 μg/ml protein of bovine pituitary extract. Laminin was isolated from the murine Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor and -20′$mer peptides were chemically synthesized and HPLC-purified. It is shown that the peptides have potential uses in wound healing and biocompatibility, whereby surfaces or wound beds themselves, treated with the peptides may promote keratinocyte cell adhesion and reepithelialization.