Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in intact and ulcerated human gastric mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes angiogenesis and healing of gastric ulcers in rats, and bFGF expression is up regulated in such ulcers. However, little is known about expression of bFGF in human gastric mucosa.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate bFGF expression in intact human gastric mucosa and gastric ulcers and to determine whether low bFGF content or altered binding by mucosa is associated with ulceration.


METHODS
Endoscopy outpatients, gastrectomy patients, and organ donors.


METHODS
bFGF was isolated by heparin affinity chromatography and characterised by western blotting and endothelial cell bioassay. bFGF was measured by immunoassay and its distribution defined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation. Binding of bFGF by heparan sulphate proteoglycans was investigated by sodium chloride and heparin extraction.


RESULTS
Bioactive bFGF (19 kDa) was detected in normal mucosa but bFGF mRNA was not found. bFGF expression was up regulated in granulation tissue endothelial cells, mononuclear cells, and epithelial cells at the ulcer rim. Gastric ulcer patients had constitutively low bFGF concentrations in intact antral mucosa which were not explained by changes in binding to heparan sulphate proteoglycans.


CONCLUSIONS
bFGF expression is up regulated in human gastric ulcers. Low intact mucosal bFGF content is associated with gastric ulceration.
Hull
M A
MA
Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Brough
J L
JL
Powe
D G
DG
Carter
G I
GI
Jenkins
D
D
Hawkey
C J
CJ
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2