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Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane
Published on: February 8, 2020
Expression of platelet-derived growth factor-alpha alpha receptor is associated with tumor progression in clear cell
Irene Sulzbacher1, Peter Birner, Margit Träxler
1Clinical Institute of Pathology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) exert their biologic function by binding to 3 different tyrosine kinase receptor isoforms. Especially the PDGF-alpha alpha receptor binds PDGF proteins with high specificity, which results in growth stimulation. The expression of the receptor and its ligand was studied in human renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) by immunohistochemical analysis, and the expression of PDGF-alpha alpha receptor and PDGF-AA was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters of patients with clear cell RCC (CCRCC). In CCRCC, the mean expression of PDGF-alpha alpha receptor and PDGF-AA was 38.8% (range, 0.0%-96.0%) and 18.4% (range, 0.0%-90.0%), respectively. PDGF-alpha alpha receptor expression was significantly higher in grade 3 and grade 4 tumors compared with grade 1 and grade 2 tumors (P = .027; Mann-Whitney test), and high receptor expression correlated with tumor progression in univariate analysis (P = .0253; log-rank test), while PDGF-AA expression had no prognostic influence on the outcome of patients with CCRCC. Therefore, immunohistochemical detection of high PDGF-alpha alpha receptor expression in CCRCC is associated with adverse outcomes. Furthermore, the PDGF receptor-factor interaction loop may be considered as a possible target for novel therapeutic strategies.
Insights
High platelet-derived growth factor-alpha alpha receptor expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) correlates with adverse outcomes. This suggests the PDGF receptor-factor interaction may be a target for new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are crucial for cellular functions, binding to tyrosine kinase receptors.
- The PDGF-alpha alpha receptor specifically binds PDGF proteins, mediating growth stimulation.
- Understanding PDGF signaling in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is vital for treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of PDGF-alpha alpha receptor and its ligand PDGF-AA in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
- To correlate PDGF-alpha alpha receptor and PDGF-AA expression with clinicopathologic parameters and patient outcomes in ccRCC.
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of PDGF signaling in ccRCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to assess the expression of PDGF-alpha alpha receptor and PDGF-AA in ccRCC tissues.
- Expression levels were quantified and correlated with tumor grade and other clinicopathologic parameters.
- Statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney test and log-rank test, were used to determine significance.
Main Results:
- Mean expression of PDGF-alpha alpha receptor was 38.8% and PDGF-AA was 18.4% in ccRCC.
- Significantly higher PDGF-alpha alpha receptor expression was observed in high-grade (grade 3 and 4) ccRCC compared to low-grade (grade 1 and 2) tumors (P = .027).
- High PDGF-alpha alpha receptor expression correlated with tumor progression (P = .0253), while PDGF-AA expression showed no prognostic influence.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PDGF-alpha alpha receptor expression in ccRCC is associated with adverse clinical outcomes.
- The PDGF receptor-factor interaction represents a potential therapeutic target for novel treatment strategies in ccRCC.
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