MRNA level of genes related to apoptosis in a colitis model in rats treated with epidermal growth factor

Abstract

The deregulation of cell death pathways in intestinal epithelial cells could involve the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. An increase in apoptosis has been observed in patients who have Ulcerative Colitis. Previous experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of EGF in the healing of ulcerative Colitis and other gastrointestinal mucosa lesions. However, there are not many reports on the molecular characterization of EGF's positive effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa. This work aims to deepen the transcriptional changes induced by EGF in the intestinal epithelium in a colitis model in rats. Samples from the distal colon of an EGF-treated colitis model were collect, followed by an analysis by quantitative PCR of the mRNA of 23 genes related to apoptosis. 57% of the genes analyzed presented statistically significant changes in their mRNA level. Of these, two anti-apoptotic genes increased their mRNA level, while the genes that decreased their mRNA level were pro-apoptotic genes and genes related to the TNFα signal transmission path. Changes in the transcription profile of the genes analyzed could suggest a reduction of apoptosis, which could favor the integrity of the Intestinal Epithelium