Transforming growth factor-alpha in the regulation of enterocytic proliferation: part of a puzzle

The regulation of gut mucosal wound healing after mucosal injury is crucial in re-establishing the epithelial barrier function of the epithelium. Howe ver, the exact molecular mechanisms of gut epithelial restitution are still largely unknown. The proliferation and migration of epithelial cells, whic h contribute to the epithelial wound healing, are complex regulated and, un til now, a variety of peptide and nonpeptide factors that take part in this regulation have been identified. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha is one of the well-known proliferation and migration inducing factors in gut epithelial cells, and seems to play an important role in mucosal wound heal ing. However, less is known about the regulation of TGF-alpha expression it self. Here we discuss the recent advances concerning the role of TGF-alpha in the context of mucosal regeneration. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilk ins.