[Factors involved in the regeneration of the gastrointestinal tract]

The gastrointestinal mucosal regeneration is a complex process that includes cell migration and proliferation. A wide variety of factors are presumably be involved in the reestablishment of the functional and structural integrity of the mucosa, and different experimental models have been applied to elucidate these factors. Accumulating evidences indicate the importance of soluble factors (e.g. growth factors, cytokines, trefoil peptides) and matrix components in the mucosal healing. Though the interactions of these factors remain to be fully elucidated, the identification of physiologically relevant factors that stimulate mucosal repair and a through description of the mechanisms of action may lead to the development of specific strategy for the promotion of the mucosal healing by exploiting natural mechanisms of regeneration.