Soybean-derived recombinant human epidermal growth factor protects against experimental necrotizing enterocolitis

作者：Isani Mubina; Illingworth Laura; Herman Eliot; Schmidt Monica; Barron Lauren; Bowling Jordan; Elizee Melissa; Bai Iris; Gayer Christopher; Grishin Anatoly; Erwin Christopher R; Ford Henri R; Warner Brad W^*

来源：Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2018, 53(6): 1203-1207.

DOI：10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.02.084

• Necrotizing enterocolitis
• EGF
• Soybean
• Prophylaxis

Background: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) reduces necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, its high cost virtually prohibits clinical use. To reduce cost, soybean expressing human EGF was developed. Here we report effectiveness of soybean-derived EGF in experimental NEC.
Methods: Newborn rats were subjected to the NEC-inducing regimen of formula feeding and hypoxia. Formula was supplemented with extract from EGF-expressing or empty soybeans. NEC pathology was determined micro-scopically. Localization of tight junction proteins JAM-A and ZO-1 was examined by immunofluorescence and levels of mucosal COX-2 and iNOS mRNAs by real time PCR.
Results: Soybean extract amounts corresponding to 150 mu g/kg/day EGF caused considerable mortality, whereas those corresponding to 75 mu g/kg/day EGF were well tolerated. There was no significant difference in NEC scores between animals fed plain formula and formula supplemented with empty soybean extract. Soybean-EGF-supplemented formula at 75 mu g/kg/day EGF significantly decreased NEC, attenuated dissociation of JAM-A and ZO-1 proteins from tight junctions, and reduced intestinal expression of COX-2 and iNOS mRNAs.
Conclusion: Supplementation with soybean-expressed EGF significantly decreased NEC in the rat model. Soybean-expressed EGF may provide an economical solution for EGF administration and prophylaxis of clinical NEC.

• 出版日期2018-6