Distribution of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) in normal and acute peptic-injured equine gastric squamous epithelium.
Authors: Jeffrey S C, Murray M J, Eichorn E S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) plays a crucial role in tissue repair, yet its distribution within damaged equine gastric mucosa had not been characterised. Jeffrey and colleagues induced gastric ulceration and erosion in 15 horses through alternating feed deprivation protocols lasting 48 and 96 hours, then used immunohistochemical staining and computerised image analysis to map EGFr distribution across normal epithelium, lesion margins, and erosion beds. EGFr concentration was consistently highest in the basal epithelial layers and near capillary networks—precisely where cell proliferation was most active—and notably increased in lesion margins of horses subjected to the longer 96-hour deprivation period compared to the 48-hour group. The findings suggest that peptic injury actively induces EGFr upregulation as part of the healing response, indicating that endogenous growth factor signalling pathways may be therapeutically targetable; practitioners managing equine gastric ulcer disease might eventually benefit from treatments designed to amplify or supplement these natural repair mechanisms, though further research is needed to identify the specific ligands (likely EGF or TGF-α) driving this response in equine gastric tissue.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Feed deprivation protocols that increase gastric acidity induce EGFr expression in healing gastric epithelium, indicating the body's attempt to repair injury—support frequent forage access to minimize gastric ulceration risk
- •EGFr expression increases with injury severity and duration, suggesting prolonged feed restriction impairs the normal healing response; this supports evidence-based feeding management to prevent or minimize gastric lesion development
- •Growth factor signaling may be therapeutic target for gastric ulcer healing in horses; practitioners should be aware that future treatments may involve EGF or related ligands to enhance mucosal repair
Key Findings
- •EGFr area and density were greatest in the basal epithelial layer and diminished progressively toward the lumen across all horses
- •Tissues subjected to 96 h feed deprivation (Group 3) showed significantly greater EGFr area at lesion margins compared to 48 h deprivation (Group 2)
- •EGFr area in cells adjacent to epithelial capillaries was significantly greater in Group 3 (96 h deprivation) than in normal epithelium (Group 1)
- •EGFr distribution corresponded with regions of greatest mitotic cell activity in basal layers and perivascular zones, suggesting the receptor is induced during peptic injury and healing