Immunocytochemically detectable TGF-beta associated with malignancy in thyroid epithelial neoplasia.
The possible role of changes in TGF-beta expression in the multistage development of thyroid cancer was assessed. The presence of TGF-beta 1 in thyroid epithelial cells was analyzed in sections of normal and tumor tissue using an immunoperoxidase technique employing an antibody directed against the amino-terminal 30 amino acids of mature TGF-beta 1. Specific immunostaining was clearly detected in epithelial cells in 58% of malignant thyroid tumours (including follicular, papillary, and anaplastic variants). However, no positive cells were seen in any of 7 benign tumors nor in any normal thyroid epithelium. Within the cancer group as a whole, there was no significant correlation with pathological grade or clinical stage of tumor but in one subgroup--follicular carcinomas--a significant association was noted between TGF-beta immunostaining and the presence of a specific mutation of the H-ras oncogene (codon 61, gln----arg). We conclude that a major alteration in expression of TGF-beta occurs specifically in the malignant stage of tumor development in thyroid follicular epithelium and speculate on its possible role in this process.
Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
B
B
Jasani
F S
FS
Wyllie
P A
PA
Wright
N R
NR
Lemoine
E D
ED
Williams
D
D
Wynford-Thomas
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009154:Mutation; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D015291:Transforming Growth Factors