Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion
Published on: November 16, 2011
Transforming growth factor beta receptors in verrucous and squamous cell carcinoma
M Anderson1, C Muro-Cacho, J Cordero
1Molecular Oncology Program, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, USA.
Objectives:
To study the intracellular location of transforming growth factor beta type II receptors (TbetaR-II) in verrucous carcinoma (VC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), and to evaluate their role in the biological behavior of both neoplasias.
Design:
Ten VC and 10 well-differentiated SqCC specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization for the expression and intracellular location of TbetaR-II. Receptor expression was evaluated in areas of invasion and in areas of transformation of VC into SqCC. TbetaR-II expression was compared with expression of the type I receptor (TbetaR-I).
Subjects:
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from VCs and well-differentiated SqCCs, operated on at the H. L. Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute from May 1987 to January 1998, were selected for the study.
Interventions:
None.
Results:
While in all VCs TbetaR-II was found to be located along the membrane of the neoplastic keratinocytes, TbetaR-II expression in SqCC was observed predominantly in a cytoplasmic location. This cytoplasmic location of TbetaR-II was also seen in areas of transition from VC to SqCC. Expression of TbetaR-I was found in a cytoplasmic location in both tumor types.
Conclusions:
The membranous location of TbetaR-II in VC exposes the receptor to the growth inhibitory control of TGF-beta and may explain why VC tumors are less aggressive clinically. The marked reduction of membranous TbetaR-II and their predominant cytoplasmic location diminishes TGF-beta growth inhibition and may contribute to the transformation of VC into the more aggressive SqCC.
Related Concept Videos
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
TGF - β Signaling Pathway

