Mice lacking transforming growth factor alpha have an increased susceptibility to dextran sulfate-induced colitis.
Gastroenterology
; 113(3): 825-32, 1997 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9287974
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS:
There is indirect evidence that transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is an important mediator of mucosal defense and repair. TGF-alpha knockout mice and TGF-alpha-deficient mice (wa-1) provide novel approaches to evaluate the role of TGF-alpha in preserving the integrity of the colon.METHODS:
Colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 5 g/dL) to knockout mice, their genetic controls (GC), wa-1 mice, and BALB/c mice. TGF-alpha was also administered intraperitoneally to wa-1 mice to evaluate the effect of exogenous TGF-alpha in DSS colitis.RESULTS:
In response to DSS, nearly 60% of the entire colonic mucosa was destroyed in knockout and wa-1 mice, compared with 22% in GC mice and 16% in BALB/ c mice. Body weight loss was doubled in knockout (28%) and wa-1 mice (23%) compared with GC (11%) and Balb/c mice (12%). TGF-alpha application to wa-1 mice reduced the severity of mucosal injury by almost 70% compared with controls.CONCLUSIONS:
The marked susceptibility of TGF-alpha knockout and wa-1 mice to DSS and the obvious amelioration of the colonic injury by exogenous TGF-alpha application in wa-1 mice suggest that TGF-alpha is a mediator of protection and/or healing mechanisms in the colon.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Dextran Sulfate
/
Transforming Growth Factor alpha
/
Colitis
/
Mice, Knockout
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Gastroenterology
Year:
1997
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: