Production of transforming growth factor alpha by hamster eosinophils.
Previously it was demonstrated that malignant transformation of the Syrian hamster cheek pouch mucosa is associated with the expression of TGF-alpha. Therefore in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the cellular sources of TGF-alpha production in this model system. Surprisingly one cell type in the inflammatory infiltrate present in the connective tissue adjacent to the transformed epithelium represented a major source of TGF-alpha mRNA. Detailed analysis of these cells revealed that they were eosinophils. In addition to TGF-alpha mRNA, about 40% of the eosinophils associated with the oral tumors exhibited TGF-alpha product reactive with a monoclonal antibody against the C terminus of the mature TGF-alpha peptide. Normal hamster bone marrow eosinophils also exhibited TGF-alpha mRNA and product by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that the eosinophil represents a biologically significant source of TGF-alpha.
Elovic
A
A
Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Galli
S J
SJ
Weller
P F
PF
Chang
A L
AL
Chiang
T
T
Chou
M Y
MY
Donoff
R B
RB
Gallagher
G T
GT
Matossian
K
K
McBride
J
J
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene