Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
09:37

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

Published on: August 25, 2021

IGF-1 deficiency in combination with a low basic hBD-2 and hBD-3 gene expression might counteract malignant

J Winter1, S Mohr, A Pantelis

  • 1Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, University of Bonn, Welschnonnenstr, Bonn, Germany.

Cancer Investigation
|January 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) influences human beta-defensin (hBD) gene expression in pleomorphic adenomas. IGF-1 deficiency, coupled with low hBD-2 and hBD-3 expression, may counteract, while hBD-1 deficiency promotes malignant transformation.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pleomorphic adenomas are common salivary gland tumors.
  • The role of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) in tumor development is complex.
  • Human beta-defensins (hBDs) are antimicrobial peptides with potential roles in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of IGF-1 on oncogenic gene expression in pleomorphic adenoma cells.
  • To analyze the impact of IGF-1 stimulation on specific gene transcript levels.
  • To explore the relationship between IGF-1, hBDs, and malignant transformation in pleomorphic adenomas.

Main Methods:

  • A64 pleomorphic adenoma cells were stimulated with recombinant IGF-1.
  • RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed at multiple time points.
  • Gene product expression was visualized using immunostaining.

Main Results:

  • IGF-1 downregulated hBD-2 and hBD-3 gene expression but did not affect hBD-1.
  • IGF-1 had minimal impact on the expression of DEFA1/3, DEFA4, S100A4, Psoriasin, DOC-1, EGF, EGFR, and IGFR.
  • A64 cells were deficient in hBD-1 and IGF-1.

Conclusions:

  • IGF-1 deficiency combined with low hBD-2 and hBD-3 expression may counteract tumor progression.
  • hBD-1 deficiency appears to promote malignant transformation in pleomorphic adenomas.
  • These findings highlight the differential roles of hBDs in the context of IGF-1 signaling in pleomorphic adenomas.

More Related Videos

A Protocol for Explant Cultures of IDH1-mutant Diffuse Low-grade Gliomas06:27

A Protocol for Explant Cultures of IDH1-mutant Diffuse Low-grade Gliomas

Published on: May 9, 2025

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio12:31

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio

Published on: August 24, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
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,...