The effect of egf (epidermal growth factor) and anti-EGF on microfold (M) cells in the mice embryological development process

Microfold cells (M cells) are specialized epithelial cells that initiate the mucosal immune response in the follicle-related epithelium surrounding mucosal lymphoid follicles. M cells receive luminal antigens and present these antigens to the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) located under the mucosa. Epidermal growth factor is a protein growth factor that stimulates cell division, differentiation, survival, proliferation, growth and cell migration and is involved in many physiological and pathological processes in the organism. EGF has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) and an EGF receptor blocker monoclonal antibody used for Anti-EGF effect in embryonic development of M cells. The control group, EGF group, EGF receptors were divided into three groups, and the fetal intestines were evaluated immunohistochemically and histochemically on the 13.5, 15.5, 17.5 days of fetal development. According to the results of the experiment, it was observed that the microfold cells in the EGF-treated group developed earlier and were increased in terms of their markers compared to the control and anti-EGF groups. In the light of the results of this study, it will be helpful and guiding for future multidisciplinary studies.