Early weaning accelerates the differentiation of mucous neck cells in rat gastric mucosa: possible role of TGFalpha/EGFR.

The development of the gastric mucosa is controlled by hormones, growth factors and feeding behavior. Early weaning (EW), which means the abrupt interruption of suckling, increases proliferation and differentiation in the rat gastric epithelium. Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) is secreted in the stomach, binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and may control cell proliferation, differentiation and migration.