Oncogene and HSP-70 expression in primary tumor cell cultures of renal cell carcinoma compared to their corresponding cell line.
BACKGROUND
Tumor progression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be explained by a multistep model, in which the activation of certain oncogenes such as c-neu and c-fos appear to be early events in tumorigenesis, while the expression of p53 and pan-ras are found in advanced stages.


METHODS
The expression of oncogenes and growth factors was examined in 29 primary tumor cell cultures (PTCC) of RCC using immunocytochemistry.


RESULTS
In PTCC high expression of c-neu and c-fos was present in all tumors, whereas mdr, TGF-alpha, EGF, c-myc, pan-ras, p53 and HSP-70 was detected at low expression levels. In 27% (8/29) of PTCC, cell lines (CL) were established. Oncogene expression was increased in CL compared to PTCC.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of oncogene expressions found in CL is similar to findings described in highly malignant tumors in vivo. Therefore, the establishment of CL seems to depend on a selective recruitment of tumor cells with an upregulated oncogene expression.
Köhler
G
G
Institute of Pathology, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Veelken
H
H
Rosenthal
F
F
Mackensen
A
A
Lindemann
A
A
Schaefer
H E
HE
Lahn
M
M
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009857:Oncogenes; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000502:physiology*
D006133:Growth Substances; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins