Expressions of various growth factors and their receptors in tissues from neurofibroma.
BACKGROUND
Platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor beta are known to enhance the growth of neurofibroma-derived cells from neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) patients.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to elucidate whether these growth factors and their receptors are up-regulated in NF-1 patients.


METHODS
Tissues and culture cells from neurofibroma in NF-1 patients, nontumor lesions in NF-1 patients, and the skin of normal controls were collected. To evaluate the expressions of growth factors and their receptors, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were performed.


RESULTS
PDGF-beta receptor subunit was expressed in the neurofibroma tissues from NF-1 patients, but not in the nontumorous tissues from NF-1 patients or skin from normal controls. As for the other factors, there were no significant differences among these tissues. Neurofibroma sections also stained positive for the PDGF-beta receptor subunit.


CONCLUSIONS
The interaction of PDGF and PDGF-beta receptor subunit may be important in the tumorigenesis of NF-1.
Kadono
T
T
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Kikuchi
K
K
Nakagawa
H
H
Tamaki
K
K
D000077214:Becaplermin; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D006133:Growth Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000077214:Becaplermin; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta