MATRIX ALTERS THE PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSE OF ENTEROCYTES TO GROWTH-FACTORS

BACKGROUND: Enterocyte growth and differentiation along the crypt-vill us axis is a highly controlled process. Crypt cells divide to produce enterocytes that migrate along the villus axis prior to terminal diffe rentiation. Growth factors and basement membrane may be involved in th e regulation of this process. METHODS: IEC-6 proliferation was measure d in cells grown on laminin or collagen I by measuring the conversion of Owen's reagent to formazan. Cells were grown with no growth factor, one growth factor (ie, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth f actor-I, dr transforming growth factor-alpha), or a combination of fac tors. RESULTS: Enterocyte proliferation was increased in all groups gi ven mitogenic growth factors with additive increases in those given co mbinations. Enterocytes grown on laminin showed a significantly decrea sed proliferative response to mitogenic growth factors in all experime ntal groups, Matrix did not alter seeding efficiency or cell viability . CONCLUSION: Basement membrane may play a role in the regulation of c ell proliferation along the crypt-villus axis.