[The significance of cytokines and extracellular matrix for stomach ulcer healing].

The healing process of gastric ulcers is regulated by many factors. Cytokines play a central role in the different stages of healing. In the early stage of inflammation, TNF-alpha and interleukins regulate cell-migration and -proliferation. In the ulcer's base revascularisation is stimulated by b-FGF, collagen synthesis by TGF-beta. The reepithelialization is mediated by EGF, which accelerates ulcer healing in animal models, while TGF-alpha is involved in mucosal protection. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important for the stability and quality of the ulcer scar, as known from dermatological experiments. An increase of collagen types I and III in healing gastric ulcers was demonstrated recently, which might illuminate the particular role of ECM proteins for the gastric ulcer healing process.