Increased expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) during gastric ulcer healing in rats

This study was done to investigate the expression arid localization of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in the gastric ulcerated tissues produced by acetic acid during the healing process, by northern blot analysis and immunohistochemical technique. Ulcerated TGF-beta(1) mRNA levels were significantly increased from days 3 to 18, in a similar manner to extracellular matrix proteins, and returned to control levels at the scarred phase. Immunoreactive TGF-beta(1) was localized in epithelial cells beneath proliferative zone in intact tissues. In ulcerated tissues, TGF-beta(1) was localized in macrophages in the ulcer bed and in fibroblasts or myofibroblasts in the granulation tissues. Treatment with prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) further stimulated ulcerated TGF-beta(1) expression, being associated with the acceleration of gastric ulcer healing, while treatment with indomethacin reduced TGF-beta(1) expression, being accompanied by the delayed ulcer healing. The combination of PGE(1) and indomethacin reversed the indomethacin-induced decrease in ulcerated TGF-beta(1). Thus, TGF-beta(1) may be implicated in the acceleration of gastric ulcer healing.