Immunoreactive epidermal growth factor receptors are present in gastrointestinal epithelial cells of preterm infants with necrotising enterocolitis

Introduction: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) affects epithelial cell prolife ration, differentiation and migration in the gastrointestinal tract of expe rimental animals, and increases proliferation when given intravenously to c hildren with congenital microvillous atrophy or necrotising enteritis. The aim of the present study is to determine whether EGF receptors (EGFR) are p resent in the gut epithelium of preterm infants, and to discover whether ne onatal necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with the absence of EG FR from mucosal cells. Methods: Tissues were taken from involved colon and small intestine of four preterm infants with NEC, and control tissues were taken from four other neonates who had laparatomies for congenital malforma tions. Sections of the tissues were examined histopathologically after trea tment with a monoclonal antibody against the external domain of the EGER (Z ymed Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, USA). Results: Histopathological exam ination confirmed diagnosis of NEC in the involved bowel and controls showe d appearance within normal limit. Immunoreactive EGFR were present on the e pithelial cells of both the colon and small intestine, localised on the bas olateral membrane of the cells of both subject and the controls. There was no apparent reduction in expression compared with controls. Conclusion: NEC in preterm infants is not associated with absence of EGFR. The presence of EGFR in gut epithelial cells raises the possibility of using EGF for proph ylaxis or treatment of NEC. (C), 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rig hts reserved.