Potential Physiologic Roles for Epidermal Growth Factor in the Kidney

Targeted expression of a dominant-negative EGF-R in the kidney reduces tubulo-interstitial lesions after renal injury

“…Nevertheless, these results argue against the idea that EGF-R signaling plays a major role in modulation of tubular solute transport under physiological conditions (45).…”

EGFR activity is required for renal tubular cell dedifferentiation and proliferation in a murine model of folic acid-induced acute kidney injury

“…It has been reported that EGF, HB-EGF, and TGF-␣ are expressed in the kidney (11,28). EGF is upregulated in ischemia and toxicant-induced injury and is capable of stimulating proliferation of kidney epithelial and progenitor cells through the EGFR (28).…”

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activation Differentially Regulates Claudin Expression and Enhances Transepithelial Resistance in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells

“…In the kidney, high concentrations of prepro-EGF mRNA have been localized to thick ascending limbs of Henle and to early distal convoluted tubules (40,59), and high concentrations of EGF can be recovered from urine (40). EGF may serve as a cytoprotective agent of the distal nephron, ureter, and bladder because it is produced in the nephron segment just proximal to where urinary acidification is accomplished, and the collecting duct, ureter, and bladder are exposed to a urine pH as low as 4.5 as well as to a hypertonic milieu.…”

“…EGF may serve as a cytoprotective agent of the distal nephron, ureter, and bladder because it is produced in the nephron segment just proximal to where urinary acidification is accomplished, and the collecting duct, ureter, and bladder are exposed to a urine pH as low as 4.5 as well as to a hypertonic milieu. EGFRs are present on these distal structures and are localized to basolateral membranes (40). Under normal circumstances, EGF produced in the kidney would not interact with EGFRs in the kidney or the distal uroepithelium, but would remain within the lumen and be excreted in the urine.…”

“…EGF is highly expressed in the kidney (40). Although its function is still incompletely understood, it has been suggested to play an important role in the maintenance of epithelial integrity of the distal nephron, ureter, and bladder (41).…”