Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor protects intestinal stem cells from injury in a rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis.

ABSTRACT: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an often catastrophic disease that typically affects premature newborns. Although the exact etiology of NEC is uncertain, the disease is associated with formula feeding, bacterial colonization of the gut, hypoxia and hypoperfusion. In light of the pathogenesis of NEC, the integrity and function of the intestinal mucosa has a major defensive role against the initiation of NEC. Various forms of intestinal injury, including NEC, injure the intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lineages, including the intestinal stem cells (ISCs), thereby disrupting the normal homeostasis needed to maintain gut barrier function. In the current study, we examined the effects of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) administration on enterocytes, goblet cells, neuroendocri

SUBMITTER: Chen CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3289750 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature