Transforming growth factor alpha, beta 1 and beta 2 in breast cyst fluid.
Women who have palpable breast cysts lined by apocrine metaplastic epithelium (intracystic Na/K < 3) may have a higher risk of breast cancer than those who have breast cysts lined by flattened epithelium (intracystic Na/K > 3). Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) exerts a proliferative effect on many cell types and may play a role in mammary carcinogenesis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulates the proliferation of mesenchymal cells but inhibits mammary epithelial cell proliferation and may exert a protective effect against breast cancer development. The aim of this study was to measure the distribution of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta 1 and TGF beta 2 in the two sub-groups of breast cysts. TGF-alpha was undetectable in all but 2 of the 46 samples of breast cyst fluid tested. TGF-beta 1 ranged from undetectable up to 25.4 ng/ml (n = 46) while the intracystic concentrations of TGF-beta 2 were generally higher, ranging from 0.30 ng/ml to 125 ng/ml (n = 42). There was no significant difference between the distribution of TGF-beta 1 levels in the 2 cyst groups, but TGF-beta 2 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the high electrolyte ratio group (Na/K > 3). A negative correlation was found between TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 levels in the high electrolyte ratio group (rs = 0.605, p = 0.006, n = 19). TGF-alpha is unlikely to play an important role in breast cancer development in women with palpable breast cysts. The significantly higher concentrations of TGF-beta 2 in the high electrolyte ratio group may explain, in part, the lower risk of breast cancer in this group of women.
Lai
L C
LC
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Freeman Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
Siraj
A K
AK
Erbas
H
H
Lennard
T W
TW
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium