Analysis of TGF-beta protein expression in aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumor)

Aggressive fibromatosis, usually termed desmoid tumor, develops from muscle connective tissue, fasciae and aponeuroses. Aggressive fibromatosis located in various parts of the body demonstrates differentiated biological behavior. Abnormalities in TGF-beta expression are very common in many disease processes, including neoplasms. Immunohistochemical analysis employing a monoclonal antibody against TGF-beta was performed on archival material, consisting of 38 cases of aggressive fibromatosis, among which 23 represented abdominal, 11 extra-abdominal and 4 intra-abdominal localizations. The sections for immunohistochemical study were stained using the streptavidin-biotin (ABC) method. The average percentage of cells positively stained for TGF-beta protein was 40.2% in the group of extra-abdominal, 58.5% in the group of abdominal and 72.8% in the group of intra-abdominal localizations. There were significant differences observed between the analyzed groups of desmoid tumor (p<0.05). A positive cytoplasmic reaction for TGF-beta was noted in 65.8% (25/38) of the aggressive fibromatoses. Overexpression of TGF-beta protein was noted in 39.5% (15/38) of the aggressive fibromatoses. High expression noticed in desmoid fibroblasts might indicate that this protein plays a crucial role in the development of aggressive fibromatosis.