Expression of EGF, TGF-alpha, EGFR and c-erbB2 genes and their gene products in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.
The expression of mRNA for epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), EGF receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2 genes and the immunoreactivity to these gene products were examined in 3 newly established human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and their corresponding in vivo tumor lines using the Northern blot technique and the immunohistochemical method. All 3 cell lines expressed TGF-alpha, EGFR and 2 of the 3 lines expressed EGF and c-erbB-2 mRNAs. The immunohistochemical study showed immunoreactivity to EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR in all these 3 cell lines and their corresponding in vivo tumor lines. These results indicate that the autocrine loop of EGF and/or TGF-alpha/EGFR in pancreatic carcinoma cells may be one of the important reasons for the uncontrolled growth of the pancreatic carcinoma. The c-erbB-2 overexpression in some of the cell lines may also contribute to the carcinogenesis or progression of this cancer.
Chen
J
J
Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, People's Republic of China.
Liu
T H
TH
D000818:Animals; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha