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Developmental expression of transforming growth factor-α and epidermal growth factor receptor proteins in the human pancreas and digestive tract

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Abstract

This study was designed to localize transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in the developing human gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Immunohistochemical techniques using specific antibodies against human TGF-α and EGFR were performed on digestive tissues of fetuses from 9 to 10 to 24 weeks of gestation, children and adults. In fetuses, TGF-α and EGFR proteins were expressed in all epithelial tissues studied with a good correlation and from an age as early as 9 to 10 weeks of gestation, except for TGF-α in the esophagus. The strongest TGF-α immunostaining was noted in the stomach and the proximal colon. Unexpectedly, immunoreactive gut endocrine cells were observed with the two antibodies used. Relatively numerous in fetuses, they decreased in number with age and were rare in adults particularly along the colon. Enteroglucagon-secreting cells were shown to express TGF-α while some gastrin, somatostatin and pancreatic glucagon cells were immunostained with EGFR antibodies. The presence of TGF-α and of its recetor in digestive tract epithelium and pancreatic tissues early in fetal life suggests a functional role for TGF-α during the developmental process of the digestive system. We demonstrate that TGF-α is also produced by endocrine cells and might have an additional mode of action other than paracrine, at least during fetal life.

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  1. Unité de Gastroentérologie, INSERM U10, Hôpital Bichat, 170 Boulevard Ney, 75018, F-Paris, France

    Khadija Hormi & Therese Lehy

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  1. Khadija Hormi
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  2. Therese Lehy
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Hormi, K., Lehy, T. Developmental expression of transforming growth factor-α and epidermal growth factor receptor proteins in the human pancreas and digestive tract. Cell Tissue Res 278, 439–450 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331362

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331362

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