Expression of nerve growth factor in rat stomach. Implications for interactions between endothelial,neural and epithelial cells

This study was aimed to determine the expression and localization of nerve growth factor (ngf) in the gastric mucosa. transmural gastric specimens were obtained from euthanized rats. studies: 1) expression of ngf and trka receptor by western blotting; 2) histological evaluation of gastric wall architecture; 3) expression of ngf using immunostaining. immunostaining showed strong and differential expression of ngf in neural elements of gastric myenteric and submucosal plexuses; in epithelial cells: mainly in chief and progenitor cells,in enterochromaffin-like (ecl) cells; and,in endothelial cells (ecs) lining blood vessels. we concluded that ngf expression in neural elements,epithelial cells and endothelial cells of blood vessels indicated a complex local interaction between neural,epithelial and endothelial cells that regulated gastric mucosal homeostasis and,likely,the protection against gastric injury and ulcer healing. © 2016,polish physiological society. all rights reserved.