Assuntos
Pneumonia em Organização Criptogênica/virologia , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Influenza Humana/virologia , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/virologia , Idoso , Biópsia , Pneumonia em Organização Criptogênica/tratamento farmacológico , Glucocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Influenza Humana/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Prednisona/uso terapêutico , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Generation of genetically engineered mice with either gain-of-function or loss-of-function mutations is the most popular technique for determining gene functions and the interrelationship between molecules in vivo. These models have provided a wealth of information about the developmental and physiological roles of oncogenes and growth factors. To date, transgenic techniques have been used extensively to study the functions of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family. This review highlights some of the major recent findings pertinent to the EGF receptor (EGFR) and its ligands with special reference to elucidating how EGF and its related growth factors work together to regulate reproduction, growth and development. Finally, future investigations on ligand-ligand communications, EGFR and its ligands in neural stem cell research, and the mechanisms of EGFR signaling and trafficking in cells are also suggested.