title: TGF-βs and Smads activities at the site of failed neural tube in the human embryos.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and Smads control intracellular signaling pathways in neurulation. Although previously reported similar experimental animal studies, the aim of this human study is to investigate the expression of TGF-β (1,2,3) and Smads (1,2,3,6,7) in aborted human fetuses with myeloschisis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve human fetuses with neural tube defect were obtained. They were stained with antibodies against TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, Smad (1,2,3), Smad 6 and Smad 7 using the indirect immunohistochemical technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We noted mild immune reactivity of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in the open neural plate, motor neurons and surrounding tissue. Strong immune reactivity of TGF-β3 was shown in only open neural plate and surrounding tissue. Immunoreactivity of all Smads noted negative except Smad7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggested at the site where the neural tube failed to close, TGF-β 1,2 and Smads 1,2,3,6 do not continue their activity and decrease with internal timing of embryonic development. Additionally ectodermal layers are considered by embryo as "not closed wound" and TGF-β3 activity may be an effort to repair the failed closure.
authors: Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Manisa, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Barutcuoglu
authors: Ahmet Sukru
authors: AS
authors: Umur
authors: Hatice Seda
authors: HS
authors: Vatansever
authors: Nurcan
authors: N
authors: Umur
authors: Kemal
authors: K
authors: Ozbilgin
authors: Sevil
authors: S
authors: Sayhan
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Selcuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D054259:Neural Tube / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D051785:Smad Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta