Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
09:02
Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Epidermal growth factor and necrotizing enterocolitis
Christine F Coursodon1, Bohuslav Dvorak
1Department of Pediatrics, Steele Children's Research Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724-5073, USA.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|January 10, 2012
Summary
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) shows promise in preventing and treating necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Research indicates EGF protects the infant intestine by regulating homeostasis and barrier function, though optimal administration requires further study.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe condition affecting preterm neonates.
- The precise pathogenesis of NEC remains incompletely understood.
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is being investigated for its potential role in NEC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical and experimental research on epidermal growth factor (EGF) in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- To evaluate EGF's role in both the prevention (prophylaxis) and treatment of NEC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical and experimental studies.
- Analysis of data on EGF's efficacy and safety in NEC contexts.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms underlying EGF's protective effects.
Main Results:
- Clinical studies suggest EGF is important for intestinal protection against NEC and is safe for affected infants.
- Experimental studies reveal EGF's mechanisms involve regulating intestinal epithelial homeostasis and barrier function.
- EGF may reduce inflammation, improve barrier integrity, and modulate epithelial apoptosis and autophagy.
Conclusions:
- EGF shows potential as a predictive marker for NEC.
- Clinical evidence supports EGF's use in NEC prevention and treatment.
- Further research is needed to determine optimal EGF dosage, timing, and administration routes for NEC patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
01:16Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:16Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...