Ulceration induces a novel epidermal growth factor-secreting cell lineage in human gastrointestinal mucosa.
Ulceration anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract induces a novel cell lineage, which grows from the bases of existing crypts, ramifies to form a new gland, and ultimately emerges onto the mucosal surface. The lineage produces neutral mucin, shows a unique lectin-binding profile and immunophenotype, and secretes abundant immunoreactive epidermal growth factor/urogastrone (EGF/URO). All gastrointestinal stem cells can produce this cell lineage following mucosal ulceration, secreting EGF/URO to stimulate cell proliferation, regeneration and ulcer healing. This cell lineage is very commonly associated with gastrointestinal ulceration, and we propose that a major in vivo role for EGF/URO is to stimulate ulcer healing throughout the gut via induction of this cell lineage in the adjacent mucosa. EGF/URO should therefore be assessed in the conservative management of inflammatory bowel disease.
Wright
N A
NA
Department of Histopathology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, UK.
Pike
C M
CM
Elia
G
G
D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000473:pathology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor