title: Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) therapy for intestinal injury: Application and future prospects.
abstract: Throughout the past 20 years, we have been investigating the potential therapeutic roles of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a member of the epidermal growth factor family, in various models of intestinal injury including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R). Our studies have demonstrated that HB-EGF acts as an effective mitogen, a restitution-inducing reagent, a cellular trophic factor, an anti-apoptotic protein and a vasodilator, via its effects on various cell types in the intestine. In the current paper, we have reviewed the application and therapeutic effects of HB-EGF in three classic animal models of intestinal injury, with particular emphasis on its protection of the intestines from NEC. Additionally, we have summarized the protective functions of HB-EGF on various target cells in the intestine. Lastly, we have provided a brief discussion focusing on the future development of HB-EGF clinical applications for the treatment of various forms of intestinal injury including NEC.
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Perinatal Research, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Electronic address: jixin.yang@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Jixin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Perinatal Research, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Electronic address: yanwei.su@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Yanwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Perinatal Research, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Electronic address: yu.zhou@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Perinatal Research, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Electronic address: gail.besner@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Gail E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Besner
keywords: HB-EGF; Hemorrhagic shock; Intestinal injury; Ischemia and reperfusion; Necrotizing enterocolitis