Basic Research
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2006; 12(2): 234-239
Published online Jan 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i2.234
Erythropoietin -induced proliferation of gastric mucosal cells
Kazuro Itoh, Yoshio Sawasaki, Kyoko Takeuchi, Shingo Kato, Nobuhiro Imai, Yoichiro Kato, Noriyuki Shibata, Makio Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Moriguchi, Masato Higuchi, Fumio Ishihata, Yushi Sudoh, Soichiro Miura
Kazuro Itoh, Shingo Kato, Soichiro Miura, Second Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
Yoshio Sawasaki, Kyoko Takeuchi, First Department of Anatomy, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
Nobuhiro Imai, Yoichiro Kato, Noriyuki Shibata, Makio Kobayashi, Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women’s Medical College, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Yoshiyuki Moriguchi, Masato Higuchi, Fumio Ishihata, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan
Yushi Sudoh, Kisen Hospital, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Supported by the grants from National Defense Medical College.
Correspondence to: Kazuro Itoh, MD, PhD, Second Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa City, Saitama 359-8513, Japan. kazuito@ndmc.ac.jp,
Telephone: +8-4-995-609 Fax: +8-4-2996-5201
Received: June 19, 2005
Revised: June 28, 2005
Accepted: July 15, 2005
Published online: January 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To analyze the localization of erythropoietin receptor on gastric specimens and characterize the effects of erythropoietin on the normal gastric epithelial proliferation using a porcine gastric epithelial cell culture model.

METHODS: Erythropoietin receptor was detected by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochermistry. Growth stimulation effects of erythropoietin on cultured gastric mucosal cells were determined by ELISA using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU).

RESULTS: Erythropoietin receptor was detected on cultured porcine gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Erythropoietin receptor was also detected histochemically at the base of gastric mucosal epithelium. BrdU assay demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in growth potential of cultured porcine gastric mucosal epithelial cells by administration of erythropoietin, as well as these effects were inhibited by administration of anti- erythropoietin antibody (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that erythropoietin has a potential to proliferate gastric mucosal epithelium via erythropoietin receptor.

Keywords: Erythropoietin; Erythropoietin receptor; Gastric epithelial cell proliferation; Porcine gastric mucosal epithelial cells