title: TGF beta-1 regulation of VEGF production by breast cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent angiogenic factor identified to date. TGF beta-1 acts as an indirect angiogenic agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  VEGF and TGF beta-1 were measured in the serum of breast cancer patients and age-matched controls and in tumor tissue of cancer patients by ELISA. VEGF protein and mRNA expression by breast tumor cell lines were examined, and the effect of TGF beta-1 on VEGF production in these cells was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF levels were significantly higher (P = .03) in the serum of patients with breast cancer compared to age-matched controls. A positive correlation was found between serum (r = 0.539) and tumor tissue (r = 0.688) levels of VEGF and TGF beta-1. Metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells produce more VEGF than do the primary BT474 cells. TGF beta-1 significantly (P < .05) increased production of VEGF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast cancer cells constitutively produce VEGF protein and mRNA. There is a relationship between VEGF and TGF beta-1 levels in breast cancer patients, and TGF beta-1 regulates VEGF expression by breast cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Harmey
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toomey
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bouchier-Hayes
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors