Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Paracrine Action Of Transforming Growth Factor-Alpha In Rectal Crypt Epithelium Of Humans, Ivan Cameron, W. Hardman

Elaine Hardman Ph.D.

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 α(TGF-α) in this homeostatic process. Immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and TGF-α 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-α stained cells that exhibited intense positive staining in a continuous column from the mouth down …