title: Why is epidermal growth factor present in the gut lumen?
abstract: The jury is still out on the role of luminal EGF in the normal gastrointestinal tract. Recent evidence, however, suggests that its major function is to act as a 'luminal surveillance' peptide, which is available to stimulate repair and that it is not of major importance in maintaining normal gut growth. Recombinant EGF administered via the gut lumen could still prove a valuable tool for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulceration. Perhaps the old term for EGF, 'epidermal healing factor' or EHF, was more appropriate after all!
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Leicester General Hospital.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Playford
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors