Goodlad R A, Wright N A
Histopathology Unit, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, UK.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1995 Oct;7(10):928-32. doi: 10.1097/00042737-199510000-00004.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) are part of a large family of ligands that bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor. While the precise role of these ligands is still unclear, there is little doubt that they play an important role in the development and maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelial continuity. The main ligand for the intestinal EGF receptor (EGFR) may in fact be TGF-alpha, and there is evidence that EGF itself may act as a surveillance factor in adults, only having an effect if the mucosa is damaged.
表皮生长因子（EGF）和转化生长因子-α（TGF-α）是与表皮生长因子受体结合的一大类配体的组成部分。虽然这些配体的确切作用仍不清楚，但毫无疑问它们在胃肠道上皮连续性的发育和维持中发挥着重要作用。肠道表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）的主要配体实际上可能是TGF-α，并且有证据表明EGF本身在成体中可能作为一种监测因子，仅在黏膜受损时才发挥作用。
