title: Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in the normal cervix and in benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression and distribution of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in the normal cervix and in benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immuno-histochemical reactivity with a monoclonal antibody against TGF-alpha was examined in tissue specimens from 15 normal cervices, six cervical polyps, four cervical condylomata acuminata, 34 cervical intra-epithelial neoplasias, 35 invasive squamous cell carcinomas, five adenocarcinomas, and three mixed adenosquamous carcinomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal squamous cells of the exocervix were found to be negative for TGF-alpha immunoreactivity, whereas reserve cells and metaplastic squamous cells in the transformation zone were positive for TGF-alpha. Although TGF-alpha immuno-reactivity was variable in the cervical condylomas, most cases of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia with or without koilocytotic atypia were negative for TGF-alpha. In the invasive carcinomas, however, TGF-alpha immuno-reactivity was observed in 17 out of the 35 cases of squamous carcinoma, and in all cases of adeno- and adenosquamous carcinomas. In addition, intense TGF-alpha immuno-reactivity was found in clinically advanced tumours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the expression of TGF-alpha is associated with squamous metaplasia in the normal cervix, and that TGF-alpha may play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis, especially in its progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konishi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koshiyama
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandai
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011127:Polyps / Q000378:metabolism; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha