EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR AND CLOSTRIDIUM-DIFFICILE TOXIN-B IN A MODEL OF MUCOSAL INJURY

Numerous factors have been advocated as being paramount to the develop ment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) including hypoxia, abnormal ba cterial flora, and by products of enteral feedings. In an effort to be tter understand mechanisms involved at the level of the intestinal muc osal barrier the authors have chosen the CACO-2 cell line to model the neonatal intestinal epithelium. By growing CACO-2 cells in transwell inserts, the authors have investigated the ability of Clostridium diff icile toxin B, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and a model of mechanica l injury to alter transepithelial resistance of CACO-2 monolayers. The findings show that toxin B diminishes resistance in this setting, and EGF can alter that resistance drop. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunde rs Company.