Epidermal growth factor stimulates proton efflux from chondrocytic cells.

Proton efflux from chondrocytes alters the extracellular pH and ionic composition of cartilage, and influences the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes chondrocyte proliferation during skeletal development and accumulates in the synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of EGF on proton efflux from chondrocytes.