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The role of diet, transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in the cell proliferation and differentiation during the postnatal development of the gastric epithelium of rats.

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Author(s):
Luciana Harumi Osaki
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Patricia Gama; Estela Maris Andrade Forell Bevilacqua; Solange Barros Carbonare; Patricia Castelucci; Fabio Daumas Nunes
Advisor: Patricia Gama
Abstract

Early weaning (EW) causes changes in the gastric mucosa, including the increase in cell proliferation and Transforming Growth Factor (TGFa). In the present study, we evaluated the role of this peptide and its receptor EGFR in the control of the gastric growth. 15-d-old rats were divided into two groups: suckling (control) and EW, in which the pups were separated from the dam and fed with powdered chow. EW increased the number of EGFR-positive cells, accelerated the differentiation of mucous neck cells and augmented the expression of mucin 6. EGFR inhibition with AG1478 decreased cell proliferation and the number of mucous neck cells. Among the proteins involved on EGFR signaling pathways and cell cycle, we found that EW increased the levels of p-ERK1/2 and p-Src, but did not change p-Akt, p21 and p27. We suggest that the diet pattern influences proliferation and differentiation in the gastric epithelium, and the TGFa/EGFR can regulate these processes throughout the postnatal development, probably by activating MAPK and Src signaling pathways. (AU)