Paracrine action of transforming growth factor-alpha in rectal crypt epithelium of humans

Colon and rectal mucosal crypt epithelium is a rapidly renewing cell population, where cell proliferation is normally balanced by cell loss. This report concerns the putative paracrine action of transforming growth factor alpha(TGF-alpha) in this homeostatic process. Immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and TGF-alpha was performed on biopsy specimens of rectal mucosa taken from consenting patients. The height of the proliferative compartment in mid-axially sectioned crypts in each individual was determined from the distribution of PCNA stained cells. The number of TGF-alpha stained cells that exhibited intense positive staining in a continuous column from the mouth down the side of the crypt was also scored in each individual patient. There was a significant positive correlation (P=0.05,n =22 patients) between the height of the proliferative compartment and the number of cells staining for TGF-alpha. Non-cellular TGF-alpha reactivity was also observed in the lamina propria adjacent to the TGF-alpha reactive epithelial cells, indicating secretion of TGF-alpha by these epithelial cells. These findings suggest that TGF-alpha is released from epithelial cells in the upper compartment of the crypt into the adjacent lamina propria and then diffuses to the epithelial cells in the lower part of the crypt, resulting in expansion of the proliferative compartment.