RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Role of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor α in the developing stomach
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP F158
OP F162
DO 10.1136/fn.76.3.F158
VO 76
IS 3
A1 E J Kelly
A1 S J Newell
A1 K G Brownlee
A1 S M Farmery
A1 C Cullinane
A1 W A Reid
A1 P Jackson
A1 S F Gray
A1 J N Primrose
A1 M Lagopoulos
YR 1997
UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/76/3/F158.abstract
AB AIMS To determine whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) or the related transforming growth factor α (TGFα) may have a role in the developing human stomach; to substantiate the presence of EGF in human liquor in the non-stressed infant and whether EGF in amniotic fluid is maternally or fetally derived. METHODS The temporal expression and localisation of EGF, TGFα, and their receptors during fetal and neonatal life were examined in 20 fetal and five infant stomachs. Simultaneously, samples of amniotic fluid and fetal urine from 10 newborn infants were collected and assayed for EGF by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS EGF immunoreactivity was not noted in any of the specimens examined. In contrast, TGFα immunoreactivity was shown in mucous cells from 18 weeks of gestation onwards. EGF receptor immunoreactivity was seen on superficial mucous cells in gastric mucosa from 18 weeks of gestation onwards. The median concentration of EGF was 30 and 8.5 pg/ml in amniotic fluid and fetal urine, respectively, suggesting that EGF is not produced by the fetus. CONCLUSIONS This study adds weight to the hypothesis that swallowed EGF, probably produced by the amniotic membranes, and locally produced TGFα, may have a role in the growth and maturation of the human stomach.