Role of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor
in the developing stomach
a Academic
Unit of Paediatrics and Child Health, St James's University Hospital,
Leeds, b Department of Surgery, c Department of Pathology, d Institute of Pathology, University of
Leeds, e Institute of Anatomy
Correspondence to: Dr E J Kelly, Neonatal Unit, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF.
Accepted 11
December 1996
AIMS
To determine whether
epidermal growth factor (EGF) or the related
transforming growth factor 
(TGF) 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.
METHODSThe temporal expression and localisation
of EGF, TGF, 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.
RESULTSEGF immunoreactivity was not noted in any
of the specimens examined. In contrast, TGF 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.
CONCLUSIONSThis study adds weight to the
hypothesis that swallowed EGF, probably produced by the amniotic
membranes, and locally produced TGF, may have a role in the growth
and maturation of the human stomach.
;
EGF receptors;
stomach
© 1997 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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