Decreased expression of transforming growth factor beta receptors on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tumor cells.
BACKGROUND
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has antiproliferative effects on normal and neoplastic cells that express specific TGF-beta receptors. We hypothesize that diminished expression of TGF-beta and/or its receptors may contribute to the uncontrolled proliferation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCA) cancer cells.


METHODS
Using immunohistochemical techniques, we characterized the expression of TGF-beta isoforms and TGF-beta receptors, TGF-beta(RI) and TGF-beta(RII), in HNSCCA. Tumor production of TGF-beta was evaluated in culture supernatants from a cytokine-stimulated HNSCCA tumor line (HTB-43).


RESULTS
All control specimens displayed strong cell-associated staining of TGF-beta as well as both receptors. Forty-seven of 47 cancer specimens exhibited positive staining for TGF-beta in the tumor matrix. Forty of the 47 cancer specimens demonstrated no expression of TGF-beta(RI), and 43 of the 47 expressed no TGF-beta(RII). Only interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and IL-1 beta induced significant TGF-beta expression from the HTB-43 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased expression of TGF-beta receptors may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HNSCCA by allowing uncontrolled cell proliferation.
Eisma
R J
RJ
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Connecticut Health Center, School of Medicine, Farmington 06030-3105, USA.
Spiro
J D
JD
von Biberstein
S E
SE
Lindquist
R
R
Kreutzer
D L
DL
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta