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Background: Anastomotic leakage after gastrointestinal surgery is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In particular, esophagogastric and colorectal anastomoses are vulnerable to leakage, resulting in an increased need for reoperation and a high risk of subsequent anastomotic stenosis formation and fistula. Studies in well-established experimental rodent models showed a positive impact of growth factors on anastomotic wound healing. So far, methodic investigations on the expression profile of growth factor receptors in the gastrointestinal tract do not exist.
Material and Methods: We investigated the co-expression pattern of vascular growth factor receptor (VEGFR1-3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRα/β) and keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) in the rat intestine. Additional, IHC staining was applied for confirmation of expression and analysis of growth factor receptor localisation.
Results: VEGFR1-3, EGFR, PDGFRα/β and KGFR expression in rat intestinal samples revealed varying transcription intensities. VEGFR1 expression was observed in all samples and varied from intermediate to strong. VEGFR2 expression was found in esophageal, gastric and colonic samples. Expression intensity ranged from weak to strong, whereas VEGFR3 and EGFR showed only weak expression in esophageal samples. PDGFRα expression was observed in esophageal and gastric samples. Specimen showed intermediate to strong expression. PDGFRβ expression was seen in esophageal, gastric and colonic samples. Intensities varied from weak to strong. KGFR was expressed in all intestinal samples and revealed expression intensities from weak to strong.
Conclusion: Our results reveal a high expression rate of growth factor receptors in the rat intestine and facilitate methodic experimental studies on gastrointestinal anastomotic healing in rat models using the positive impact of specific growth factors.