Expression of transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 and type 2 in human sporadic vestibular Schwannoma.
Expression of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein family in the peripheral nervous system is well established, but the role of their cognate receptors TGF-beta receptor type 1 (R1) and type 2 (R2) has been less well studied. TGF-beta plays an essential role in Schwann cell proliferation and differentiation, and is involved in neurotrophic effects of several neurotrophic substances. TGF-beta is also expressed in benign peripheral nervous system tumors such as vestibular schwannomas. In the present study, we aimed to detect TGF-beta R1 and R2 in a total of 40 sporadic vestibular schwannomas using immunohistochemistry, and correlated the findings to essential clinicopathologic data. TGF-beta, TGF-beta R1, and TGF-beta R2 mRNA was further analyzed by RT-PCR in six vestibular schwannomas. TGF-beta R1 immunoexpression was found in about 95% of the tumors. TGF-beta R1 was equally present in Antoni A and Antoni B areas of the tumors. TGF-beta R2 was found immunohistochemically in 77%. In addition, all tumors showed strong expression of TGF-beta. No correlation between TGF-beta R1 or R2 expression and clinicopathologic parameters such as age, sex, clinical symptoms, growth pattern, and proliferation acitivity as measured by Ki-67 (MIB-1) staining was found. Moreover, all schwannomas studied contained TGF-beta, TGF-beta R1, and TGF-beta R2 mRNA. Therefore, the TGF-beta/TGF-beta R1 and -R2 system is present in human schwannomas, but its biologic role for tumor development and growth remains unclear.
Löttrich
Mathias
M
Department of Neuropathology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
Mawrin
Christian
C
Chamaon
Kathrin
K
Kirches
Elmar
E
Dietzmann
Knut
K
Freigang
Bernd
B
D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta