Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in the rat gastroduodenal area.
The maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelium integrity requires a fine balance between proliferation and differentiation as well as protection against gastric acid secretion. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) regulates these functions by binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). This study was designed to identify the localization of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the rat gastroduodenal region. In the stomach, the surface and gastric pit cells showed staining for TGF-alpha antibodies in the cytoplasm and basolateral and apical membranes. TGF-alpha and EGF-R were observed in the supranuclear region of the cells lining the gland. In the duodenum, the enterocytes coexpressed both TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the supranuclear area. The EGF-R was also observed in the apical membrane. Brunner's glands were positive for both TGF-alpha and EGF-R antibodies. Our results demonstrate the coexpression of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the rat gastroduodenal area, which suggests a functional role for them in the establishment and maintenance of the epithelial renewal.
Montaner
B
B
Departament de Biologia Cel.lular i Anatomia Patològica, Unitat de Proliferació i Diferenciació Cel.lular, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet, Spain.
Asbert
M
M
Pérez-Tomás
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002011:Brunner Glands / Q000473:pathology; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors