IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR INTHE NORMAL ADULT GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

Objective: The list of growth factors with possible healing properties for gastric lesions is increasing. In particular, the powerful angiog enic and mitogenic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) ma y have a therapeutic application in peptic ulcer disease. However, ver y little is known about the distribution of bFGF in the normal adult g astrointestinal tract. Design: Investigation of the distribution of bF GF reactivity in the adult gastrointestinal tract using immunohistoche mistry. Method: Biopsy specimens were taken from normal oesophagus, st omach, duodenum and colon. Cryostat serial sections were immunostained with a specific antibody against bFGF. Results: The epithelial baseme nt membranes under the superficial epithelial cells in the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon were discontinuously labelled. Staining o f the lamina propria tissue and small blood vessels was noted. The mus cularis mucosae was heavily stained with antibodies to bFGF. The super ficial epithelium of the stomach, duodenum, colon and suprabasal squam ous epithelium of the oesophagus showed strong immunoreactivity. Concl usion: There is a specific distribution of bFGF in surface epithelial cells, basal membranes and the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract. Activation of bFGF from the above-mentioned structures may be n eeded for rapid mobilization of angiogenic factors during repair proce sses.