Article Abstract:
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and urogastrone (URO) are factors which cause the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of cells in the neonatal human intestine. EGF/URO is not absorbed by the adult gut and does not appear to affect mature cells. However, when ulcers occur in the epithelial cells lining the gut mucosa, a new type of cell develops from gastrointestinal stem or precursor cells. These cells appear as a bud of cells next to the ulcer and develop into a new gland which eventually comes out to the surface of the gut. This gland secretes EGF/URO which stimulates cell proliferation and healing of the ulcer. Ulceration of the gut occurs frequently in humans, especially in Crohn's disease (in which there is chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract) and peptic ulcer disease. Tissues from 56 patients with Crohn's disease and 66 patients with chronic peptic ulcers were examined. The developing glands contained EGF/URO. Recombinant EGF/URO has been developed through genetic engineering and may eventually be used as a treatment to heal ulcers in the gut. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
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Article Abstract:
An attempt is made to determine the underlying mechanism in this murine model using serial transplantation of bone-marrow derived hepatocytes. It is shown, by southern blot analysis, that repopulating hepatocytes in the liver are heterozygous for alleles unique to the donor marrow, in contrast to the original homozygous donor cells.
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Article Abstract:
It is demonstrated that adult human liver cells can be derived from stem cells coming from the bone marrow.
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