EGF and EGFR: Promising targets for modulating inflammation and mucosal healing therapy in IBD

Crohn’s disease is a major type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This disease may be associated with an inability of the intestinal mucosa to protect itself from luminal challenges or defective epithelial repair following intestinal injury. Mucosal healing relies on coordinated events consisting of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) restitution, proliferation and differentiation. From our previous work leading to epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhancing growth performance in early-weaned pigs, we recently addressed potential in vivo mechanisms of EGF in enhancing intestine development and reducing inflammation.  The mechanisms underlying the EGF-mediated protective effects were investigated by gene expression, enzyme activity, and histomorphology analyses. Further evidence linking EGFR and GLP2R to downstream signaling pathways to enhance the expression of protective luminal factors such as KGF and Muc2 was demonstrated. The multi-faceted network effect of EGFR signaling allows this receptor and its prototypical ligand, EGF, to emerge as promising targets for mucosal healing therapy.