Intrarectal administration of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-8 protein ameliorates murine experimental colitis.

Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-8 (MFG-E8) promotes phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells to maintain normal tissue homeostasis. However, its functions in intestinal inflammatory disorders are unknown. Since the pathogenesis of those disorders are due to abnormal interactions between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and microbial pathogens, we analyzed the effects of MFG-E8 on IECs to determine its protective role in murine experimental colitis.

Protective effect of milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor VIII after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

Objectives: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury causes acute renal failure, and the hallmarks of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury are inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, and capillary dysfunction. Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFG-E8), a membrane-associated secretory glycoprotein, is produced by immune cells and reported to participate in multiple physiologic processes associated with tissue remodeling. We have recently shown that MFG-E8 treatment attenuates organ injury, inflammatory responses, and survival after sepsis through the enhancement of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.

Heparin-binding EGF-like factor augments esophageal epithelial cell proliferation, migration and inhibits TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via EGFR/MAPK signaling.

Objective: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been shown to stimulate the growth and migration of human keratinocytes in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Bearing in mind the preceding narratives, present study was designed to explore the role of HB-EGF on esophageal epithelial cell growth, migration and anti-apoptosis.

Material And Methods: HET-1A and TTn cells were treated with recombinant HB-EGF, and cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT and Boyden chamber assays, respectively.

Decreased production of interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β in Toll-like receptor-activated intestinal B cells in SAMP1/Yit mice.

A unique subset of B cells expressing interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays an essential role in preventing inflammation and autoimmunity. We investigated the presence of this cell subset in intestines and its role in the pathogenesis of ileitis using SAMP1/Yit and age-matched control AKR/J mice. Mononuclear cells were isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and the expressions of B220, CD1d, CD5, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR9 in isolated cells were analysed.

Fibroblast-derived HB-EGF promotes Cdx2 expression in esophageal squamous cells.

The molecular basis of attaining columnar phenotype in Barrett's esophagus is poorly understood. One hypothesis states that factors locally produced by cells of mesenchymal origin in chronic reflux esophagitis induce metaplastic transformation. This study was performed to elucidate the factors secreted from fibroblasts that cause columnar phenotype in adjacent squamous epithelium.

MFG-E8 attenuates intestinal inflammation in murine experimental colitis by modulating osteopontin-dependent alphavbeta3 integrin signaling.

MFG-E8 (milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8) deficiency is strongly associated with acquisition of immune-mediated disorders due to the loss of tissue homeostasis. However, comparatively little is known regarding its functions in gastrointestinal tract disorders, in which immune homeostasis is a major concern. Herein, we report altered MFG-E8 expression in inflamed colons during the acute phase of murine experimental colitis and found that treatment with recombinant MFG-E8, but not its arginine-glycine-aspartate mutant counterpart, ameliorated colitis by reducing inflammation and improving disease parameters.

Prolactin induces MFG-E8 production in macrophages via transcription factor C/EBPbeta-dependent pathway.

The lactogenic hormone prolactin (PRL) regulates milk protein gene expression in mammary glands. To maintain homeostatic balance in the body, milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is vital for phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells. We investigated the effects of PRL on MFG-E8 expression in macrophages by evaluating its promoter function.