Growth factors in inflammatory bowel disease

The pathogenesis of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is unknown but these forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be associated with an inability of the intestinal mucosa to protect itself from luminal challe nges and/ or inappropriate repair following intestinal injury. Numerous cel l populations regulate these broad processes through the expression of a co mplex array of peptides and other agents. Growth factors can be distinguish ed by their actions regulating cell proliferation. These factors also media te processes such as extracellular matrix formation, cell migration and dif ferentiation, immune regulation, and tissue remodeling. Several families of growth factors may play an important role in IBD including: epidermal grow th factor family (EGF) [transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), EGF i tself, and others], the transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) super fa mily, insulin-like growth factors (IGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGF), h epatocyte growth factor (HGF), trefoil factors, platelet-derived growth fac tor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and others. Collectiv ely these families may determine susceptibility of IBD mucosa to injury and facilitate tissue repair.