Functional interaction between transforming growth factor alpha and capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons in the rat stomach.

Background And Aims: Transforming growth alpha (TGFalpha) and sensory neurons have been shown to promote gastric mucosal protection and healing. Aims were to examine in vitro interactions between gastric sensory neurons, the sensory neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and TGFalpha.

Methods: Gastric mucosal/submucosal tissue fragments from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were incubated in short-term (30 min) culture.