E-cadherin is essential for gastric epithelial restitution in vitro: a study using the normal rat gastric mucosal...

The proliferation and migration of epithelial cells appear to have important roles in intercellular adhesion and the regeneration of gastric mucosal lesions. However, the role of E-cadherin, an important intercellular adhesion molecule, in restitution after gastric mucosal damage is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the possible role of E-cadherin in the regeneration of gastric mucosal lesions. Artificial small wounds were made in an RGM1 confluent monolayer sheet, and the healing process was monitored with or without the presence of different concentrations of anti-E-cadherin antibodies. E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression were determined by Northern blot analysis and immunostaining, respectively. Epithelial restitution in anti-E-cadherin antibody-treated monolayers was inhibited as compared with that in the controls without antibody. E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated transiently during the healing process. E-cadherin plays an important role during wound healing of gastric epithelial lesions and is crucial for sheet migration.