Epidermal growth factor/TNF-α transactivation modulates epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis in a mouse model of parenteral nutrition

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signaling are critical for effective proliferative and apoptotic actions; however, little is known about the codependency of these signaling pathways in the intestinal epithelium. Because total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with loss of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) proliferation and increased apoptosis, we utilized a mouse model to explore these transactivation pathways in small bowel epithelium. Mice underwent intravenous cannulation and were given enteral nutrition or TPN for 7 days. Outcomes included IEC proliferation, apoptosis, and survival. To address transactivation or dependence of EGF and TNF on IEC physiology, TNF-α receptor knockout (KO) mice, TNFR1-KO, R2-KO, or R1R2-double KO, were used. Exogenous EGF and pharmacological blockade of ErbB1 were performed in other groups to examine the relevance of the ErB1 pathway. TPN increased IEC TNFR1 and decreased EGF and ErbB1 abundance. Loss of IEC proliferation was prevented by exogenous EGF or blockade of TNFR1. However, EGF action was prevented without effective TNFR2 signaling. Also, blockade of TNFR1 could not prevent loss of IEC proliferation without effective ErbB1 signaling. TPN increased IEC apoptosis and was due to increased TNFR1 signaling. Exogenous EGF or blockade of TNFR1 could prevent increased apoptosis, and both pathways were dependent on effective ErbB1 signaling. Exogenous EGF prevented increased apoptosis in mice lacking TNFR2 signaling. TPN mice had significantly decreased survival vs. controls, and this was associated with the TNFR1 signaling pathway. We concluded that these findings identify critical mechanisms that contribute to TPN-associated mucosal atrophy via altered TNF-α/EGF signaling. It emphasizes the importance of both TNFR1 and TNFR2 pathways, as well as the strong interdependence on an intact EGF/ErbB1 pathway.