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Elevated DMBT1 levels in neonatal gastrointestinal diseases
Hanna Müller1,2, Marcus Renner3, Burkhard M Helmke4
1Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany. Hanna.Mueller@uk-essen.de.
Histochemistry and Cell Biology
|November 7, 2015
Summary
Deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) is expressed in the developing gut and increases in infants with inflammatory conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This suggests DMBT1
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) is implicated in innate immunity and epithelial differentiation.
- Previous adult studies highlight DMBT1's intestinal expression and role in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate DMBT1 expression in the fetal gastrointestinal system across gestational ages.
- To analyze DMBT1 expression in infants with common neonatal gastrointestinal diseases, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), volvulus, intestinal perforation (IP), and herniation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization were used to detect DMBT1 protein and mRNA.
- Analysis included fetal tissues, postmortem samples from deceased newborns, and surgically removed tissues.
Main Results:
- DMBT1 expression is present from early fetal gastrointestinal development.
- DMBT1 expression is significantly elevated in infants with NEC, volvulus, IP, and herniation, conditions marked by high inflammatory responses.
- Increased DMBT1 expression was also observed in bile ducts of infants with sepsis or cholestasis.
Conclusions:
- DMBT1 is expressed in the developing human gastrointestinal tract.
- DMBT1 is upregulated in infants experiencing neonatal inflammatory conditions like NEC.
- DMBT1 may contribute to epithelial differentiation and local innate immunity in neonatal inflammatory bowel processes.
