EGF and TGF-1 Gene Expression in Chronically Rejecting Small Bowel Transplants

Authors: Kouwenhoven E.A.; Stein-Oakley A.N.; Jablonski P.; De Bruin R.W.F.; Thomson N.M.

Source: Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Volume 44, Number 6, 1 June 1999 , pp. 1117-1123(7)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Long-term survival of small bowel transplants is hampered by chronic rejection. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF- beta ) have opposing, regulatory roles in normal intestinal physiology and may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal rejection. Our aim was to investigate the expression of EGF and TGF- beta _1 in chronically rejecting small bowel transplants. Orthotopic small bowel transplantation was performed in the allogeneic DA-to-AS rat combination; Cyclosporin was administered temporarily to prevent acute rejection. Controls were DA isografts and normal DA rats. PreproEGF and TGF- beta _1 gene expression was evaluated by northern blot analysis of the ileum RNA and standardized against glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase expression. Allografts demonstrated functional impairment and histological features of chronic rejection, whereas isografts appeared normal. Allografts demonstrated a significant reduction of EGF mRNA when compared to DA isografts. No significant changes were detected in TGF- beta _1expression in either allogeneic or syngeneic grafts. In conclusion, this study demonstrates reduced preproEGF and preserved TGF- beta _1 gene expression in chronically rejecting small bowel transplants.

Keywords: EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR; TRANSFORMING GROWTHFACTOR- beta ; CHRONIC REJECTION; SMALL BOWEL; TRANSPLANTATION

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Publication date: 1999-06-01