Enhancement in gastric mucosal laminin receptor expression with ulcer healing.

The expression of gastric mucosal laminin receptor with chronic ulcer healing was investigated. The receptor protein was isolated from gastric epithelial cell membrane of rats at various stages of ulcer healing and following radioiodination incorporated into vesicles which exhibited specific affinity towards laminin-coated surface. The binding assays revealed that the ulcer healing was accompanied by an increase in laminin receptor expression. A significant increase (2.5-fold) in the receptor expression occurred by the third day following the development of ulcer, reached a maximum of 8.6-fold increase by the 14th day when the ulcer was virtually healed, and its high level remained for at least 20 days. The results demonstrate the importance of laminin receptor as an indice of gastric mucosal repair in ulcer healing.