Co-expression of the genes encoding transforming growth factor-alpha and its receptor in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid.
Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is frequently coexpressed with its receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), in several types of carcinoma and sarcoma. It is believed that this results in an autocrine stimulation of tumor growth in these tumors. We have found that TGF-alpha and EGF-R/c-erbB RNAs were co-expressed at significantly higher levels in papillary thyroid carcinomas and their lymph-node metastases than in non-neoplastic thyroid tissues. We also observed a low level of expression of RNA specific for insulin-like growth factor I in these tumors, which was highest in a lymph-node metastasis. Autocrine stimulation by TGF-alpha may thus be a common feature of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid. Since EGF is known to induce proliferation and dedifferentiation of normal thyroid cells in culture, TGF-alpha and its receptor may play an important role in thyroid carcinogenesis.
Aasland
R
R
Laboratory of Biotechnology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Akslen
L A
LA
Varhaug
J E
JE
Lillehaug
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010641:Phenotype; D012313:RNA / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012313:RNA; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D066246:ErbB Receptors