| abstract |
An isolated protein complex is provided comprising at least one domain thereof capable of binding and activating both a keratinocyte growth factor and a vitronectin or keratinocyte growth factor receptor and an intigrin receptor for vitronectin. Such protein complexes include synthetic proteins in which keratinocyte growth factor receptor and vitronectin sequences are linked by linker sequences. In certain forms, the vitronectin sequence does not include a C-terminal heparin binding domain. Also provided is the use of such protein complexes to stimulate cell migration and / or proliferation in wound treatment, tissue engineering, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments such as skin replacement, skin replenishment and treatment of burns requiring epithelial cell migration. In another embodiment, the present invention provides inhibition of cancer cell metastasis, in particular breast cancer. |