Overexpression of transforming growth factor alpha in psoriatic epidermis.
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).
Elder
J T
JT
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.
Fisher
G J
GJ
Lindquist
P B
PB
Bennett
G L
GL
Pittelkow
M R
MR
Coffey
R J
RJ
Ellingsworth
L
L
Derynck
R
R
Voorhees
J J
JJ
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
D015291:Transforming Growth Factors