Coexpression of TGF alpha, epidermal growth factor receptor, and P-glycoprotein in normal and benign diseased breast tissues.
Twenty-four normal or benign breast tissues were examined for the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and P-glycoprotein, the product of the mdr-1 gene. Specific staining for all three proteins was observed in the majority of the samples. P-glycoprotein staining was present in most (88%), and confined to the lumenal surface of the ductal epithelium. Membranous EGFR expression was observed in epithelial cells in 92% of the specimens and 42% displayed both myoepithelial and epithelial cell staining. TGF alpha staining was intense and uniformly distributed through the cytoplasm (96%). Coexpression of EGFR, TGF alpha, and P-glycoprotein in normal human breast tissues suggests a role for each of those proteins in normal breast physiology. An interaction may be present in normal breast tissue between the EGF receptor pathway and P-glycoprotein.
Scala
S
S
Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Saeki
T
T
Lynch
A
A
Salomon
D
D
Merino
M J
MJ
Bates
S E
SE
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000032:analysis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008875:Middle Aged; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors