Fibroblast growth factor-binding protein expression changes with disease progression in clinical and experimental
E R Sauter1, M Nesbit, D Tichansky
1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
International Journal of Cancer
|April 6, 2001
Summary
Fibroblast Growth Factor-Binding Protein (FGF-BP) does not appear to drive squamous cell carcinoma progression. Its expression decreases with cancer development, and it doesn't promote tumor growth in experimental models.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is crucial for cell function but its extracellular release mechanism is unknown.
- FGF-Binding Protein (FGF-BP) is implicated in bFGF transport and is found in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FGF-BP in the progression of squamous cell carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of FGF-BP mRNA and protein expression in normal keratinocytes and SCCs.
- Utilized a novel monoclonal antibody to study FGF-BP dimerization and localization.
- Assessed tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo using xenograft models.
Main Results:
- FGF-BP mRNA and protein levels were higher in normal keratinocytes than in SCCs.
- FGF-BP expression decreased with disease progression in human squamous epithelium.
- FGF-BP expression did not enhance tumor growth or angiogenesis in experimental SCC models.
Conclusions:
- FGF-BP expression in squamous epithelium does not appear to be a significant factor in the progression to invasive carcinoma.
- The role of FGF-BP as a chaperone for bFGF in SCC may be limited.
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