[Possible role of transforming growth factor alpha on the cholesteatoma growth regulation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mode of expression and distribution of transforming growth factor alpha in middle ear cholesteatoma.


METHODS
The specimens from the cholesteatoma tissue of 32 cases and the normal external ear skin of 10 cases were examined by immunohistochemical S-P method and computer image analysis.


RESULTS
In cholesteatoma epithelium staining for TGF alpha was consistently stronger than that in normal epithelium. The mean absorbance of the two epithelial tissue is 2.431 +/- 0.587 and 1.463 +/- 0.147 respectively, revealing a significant difference. Some immune cells infiltrating the stroma of cholesteatoma also stained positively for TGF alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggested that an autocrine and paracrine stimulation of the squamous epithelium of cholesteatoma by TGF might contribute to its hyperproliferation.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, People's Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060.
Yu
Y
Xu
Zhanyuan
Z
Wu
Zezhang
Z
Tao
Qingquan
Q
Hua
Kangye
K
Jin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*
D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha