epidermal-growth-factor and Rotavirus-Infections

The IFI27 interferon gene expression has been found to be largely increased in rotavirus (RV)-infected patients. IFI27 gene encodes for a protein of unknown function, very recently linked to epidermal proliferation and related to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein. The EGF is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide that is mainly produced by submandibular and parotid glands, and it plays an important physiological role in the maintenance of oro-esophageal and gastric tissue integrity. Our aim was to determine salivary EGF levels in RV-infected patients in order to establish its potential relationship with IFI27 increased expression and EGF-mediated mucosal protection in RV infection.. We conducted a prospective comparative study using saliva samples from 27 infants infected with RV (sampled at recruitment during hospital admission and at convalescence, i.e. at least 3 months after recovery) and from 36 healthy control children.. The salivary levels of EGF are significantly increased during the acute phase of natural RV infection, and relate to length of hospitalization. Further assessment of this non-invasive biomarker in RV disease is warranted.

Topics: Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Humans; Infant; Length of Stay; Male; Prospective Studies; Rotavirus Infections; Saliva

Milk growth factors are thought to contribute to postnatal gastrointestinal growth. The roles of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the neonatal piglet intestine were investigated. In the first study, piglets were infected with rotavirus on d 4 postpartum and received formula containing 0, 500 or 1000 micrograms/l of EGF for 8 days. A non-infected control group received no EGF. Infected piglets developed severe diarrhea and gained 60% less weight than controls. Rotaviral infection caused a 37% decrease in villus height and 40% decreases in intestinal enzyme activities compared to control. Oral EGF increased villus height and lactase activity in a linear dose-response fashion. Our results suggest that supplementation of formulas with high physiological levels of EGF may aid in small intestinal recovery. A second study investigated absorption of orally administered IGF-I. Newborn piglets were fitted with catheters via the umbilical artery and vein. Piglets were given formula containing 25 microCi of [125I]-IGF-I and blood samples were drawn for 24O min. Total radioactivity, protein bound counts, and counts immunoprecipitable with an antibody to IGF-I were determined in plasma. Radioactivity was detected in portal and arterial plasma within 15 min and rose throughout the study, however, protein bound counts were stable at 20-30% of total counts between 30 and 180 min postgavage. Approximately 10% of the counts were immunoprecipitable by a polyclonal antibody to IGF-I, suggesting that up to 10% of orally administered IGF-I may be absorbed intact.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Disease Models, Animal; Epidermal Growth Factor; Growth Substances; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Intestines; Iodine Radioisotopes; Microvilli; Milk; Precipitin Tests; Random Allocation; Recombinant Proteins; Rotavirus; Rotavirus Infections; Swine; Time Factors

The effect of oral epidermal growth factor (EGF) on histological and biochemical changes in epithelium in the small intestine was studied in colostrum-deprived neonatal pigs. Forty-eight pigs were infected at 4 days of age with 2 x 10(7) plaque-forming units of porcine group A rotavirus and orally fed a simulated sow-milk diet supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/L recombinant human EGF. Sixteen noninfected pigs were fed a diet without EGF supplementation. Infected pigs developed severe diarrhea; they also consumed 25% less food and gained 60% less weight than noninfected pigs. Pigs were killed 8 days postinfection to collect samples at seven equidistant points in the small intestine. Rotavirus infection decreased villus height by 37% and reduced specific activity of lactase by 54%, of leucine aminopeptidase by 43%, and of alkaline phosphatase by 54% in the small intestine, compared with noninfected pigs. Only the supraphysiological dose of EGF (1.0 mg/L) consistently increased villus height in the proximal and mid-small intestine and lactase-specific activity in the mid-small intestine of rotavirus-infected pigs. However, this dose was only partially effective in restoring intestinal mucosal dimensions and enzyme activities. Supplemental EGF did not hasten the resolution of diarrhea. These data indicate that high physiological levels of EGF are beneficial in stimulating recovery of epithelium in the small intestine following rotavirus infection.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Body Weight; Diarrhea; Disease Models, Animal; Epidermal Growth Factor; Food, Fortified; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestine, Small; Rotavirus Infections; Swine