Immunocytochemical localization of human epidermal growth factor/urogastrone in several human tissues

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the growth of many tissues and inhibits stimulated gastric acid secretion. Its primary tissue of origin in man is still unknown. We used polyclonal anti-human EGF sera in the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical staining technique to identify immunoreactive human EGF (ihEGF) in tissue sections from 29 subjects ranging from fetuses to 63 years in age. In addition to acinar cells in the submandibular salivary glands and cells of Brunner's duodenal glands, previously reported to contain ihEGF, we found ihEGF in most anterior pituitary glycopeptide hormone-secreting cells, in gastric and pyloric gland cells of the stomach, and in bone marrow cells that resembled mononuclear phagocytes in subjects of all ages. The eccrine sweat glands in the skin of adults also contained ihEGF. Cells containing ihEGF were found singly or in clusters in the trachea of the fetus only. No fetal pancreatic islet cells stained, but occasional cells in neonates and a majority of islet cells in older subjects contained ihEGF; there was no constant association with insulin, glucagon, or somatostatin. Only the lactating breast contained ihEGF. In adults, outer adrenomedullary cells contained ihEGF. Intense immunostaining was observed in the renal medulla, apparently limited to the extracellular area between the renal tubules, and increased with age; the cortex was devoid of ihEGF. No ihEGF was detected in posterior pituitary gland, thyroid gland, heart, lung, or liver at any age. An adult prostate contained ihEGF only in an area of local injury, and some primordial follicles from the ovary of a newborn appeared to contain ihEGF. Thus, many tissues appear to synthesize hEGF, which may exert exocrine, endocrine, or paracrine functions in different tissues and at different ages.