Rapid Epithelial Restitution in the Stomach: An Updated Perspective

Abstract

Background: Rapid epithelial restitution (RER) of rodent and amphibian gastric mucosa was described in the early 1980s. It begins within minutes of superficial injury and is accomplished by migrating interfoveolar and mucous neck cells. Methods: Subsequent studies using electrophysiologic and morphologic techniques have shown additional aspects of RER. Results: (i) Cells migrating at later times (>4 h) are not phenotypically mucous cells but undifferentiated cells, suggesting that two cell types cover mucosal defects, (ii) One of the factors necessary for optimal RER is an intact basal lamina. Superficial gastric epithelial cells preferentially adhere and spread on basal lamina substrates in the following order: Matrigel > collagen IV > fibronectin > laminin. (iii) RER can be accelerated in vitro in amphibian gastric mucosa by the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor or sucrose octasulfate. (iv) Cells with microwounds in the plasma membrane can still migrate as part of RER. Conclusion: Despite these additional data on RER it is still uncertain whether its acceleration can prevent gastric ulceration or if its impairment leads to gastric ulceration.

Key Words:

• Growth factors
• restitution
• stomach
• ulcer