title: Overexpression of transforming growth factor alpha in psoriatic epidermis.
abstract: Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is produced by and required for the growth of epithelial cells and is angiogenic in vivo. Since epidermal hyperplasia and angiogenesis are hallmarks of psoriasis, TGF-alpha gene expression was analyzed in epidermal biopsies of normal and psoriatic skin. TGF-alpha messenger RNA and protein are much more abundant in lesional psoriatic epidermis than in normal-appearing skin of psoriatic patients or in normal epidermis. In contrast, messenger RNA levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), which inhibits epithelial cell growth, are not significantly different in normal, uninvolved, and lesional psoriatic epidermis. Thus, psoriatic epidermal hyperplasia may involve increased expression of a keratinocyte mitogen (TGF-alpha) rather than deficient expression of a growth inhibitor (TGF-beta 1).
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lindquist
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pittelkow
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ellingsworth
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Derynck
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Voorhees
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004817:Epidermis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015291:Transforming Growth Factors