Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor gene disruption is associated with delayed intestinal restitution, impaired angiogenesis, and poor survival after intestinal ischemia in mice

Endogenous HB-EGF significantly enhances healing by restitution, prolongs survival, and enhances angiogenesis in mice subjected to intestinal I/R injury. These findings support our hypothesis that HB-EGF administration may improve outcome in patients with intestinal I/R injury, including necrotizing enterocolitis.