Keratinocyte growth factor increases surfactant pool sizes in premature rabbits

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a recently described 19-kD glycoprotein that is a mitogen for epithelial-derived tissue and is expressed during embryonic tissue differentiation. We investigated whether human recombinant KGF (rKGF) could increase alveolar and lung-tissue saturated phosphatidylcholine (Sat PC) in preterm rabbits delivered at 28.5 d gestation. Preterm rabbits were given 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg rKGF by tracheal injection at 30 min of age. Lung tissue and total lung (alveolar plus lung tissue) Sat PC increased by 48 h (5 and 10 mg/kg) (p < 0.01) and 72 h (1 and 10 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). A single intravascular or intramuscular dose of 10 mg/kg rKGF also increased lung-tissue and total-lung Sat PC by 48 h (p < 0.01). A single dose of rKGF given shortly after birth to preterm rabbits increased lung Sat PC in the preterm rabbits.