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Epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression in normal human kidney and renal cell carcinoma
E R Sargent1, L G Gomella, A Belldegrun
1Urologic Oncology Section, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Abstract:
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) is a transmembrane glycoprotein detected on many cells and tissues including neoplastic and normal kidney. EGFr binds the mitogenic polypeptide hormone epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as EGF-related transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). Increases in EGFr gene expression and protein production have been implicated in the development of the malignant phenotype for certain cancers. To determine if alterations in EGFr gene expression are present in human renal cell carcinoma, paired samples of normal and neoplastic renal tissue from ten patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma were analyzed for EGFr mRNA content by Northern blot hybridization. The EGFr gene was constitutively expressed in 90% of normal kidney samples. In seven out of nine evaluable patients, tumors expressed 1.7 to 8.4 times more EGFr mRNA than corresponding normal tissue. Two patients showed no elevation of tumor EGFr mRNA and one patient had no identifiable EGFr transcripts in either neoplastic or normal kidney. Expression of EGFr mRNA was also detected in three tumor-derived and two established renal cell carcinoma cell lines. EGFr transcripts were not found in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). These findings suggest that overexpression of EGFr mRNA may be associated with malignant transformation in renal cell carcinomas.
Insights
Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) mRNA is linked to renal cell carcinoma. Tumors showed significantly higher EGFr mRNA levels compared to normal kidney tissue, suggesting a role in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) is a transmembrane glycoprotein found in various tissues, including normal and neoplastic kidney.
- EGFr plays a role in cell growth and is implicated in the malignant transformation of certain cancers.
- Elevated EGFr gene expression and protein production are associated with cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in EGFr gene expression in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- To determine if EGFr mRNA levels differ between neoplastic and normal kidney tissues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of paired normal and neoplastic renal tissue samples from ten patients with advanced RCC.
- Quantification of EGFr mRNA content using Northern blot hybridization.
- Detection of EGFr mRNA in established RCC cell lines and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
Main Results:
- The EGFr gene was constitutively expressed in 90% of normal kidney samples.
- Tumors from seven out of nine evaluable patients exhibited 1.7 to 8.4 times higher EGFr mRNA levels than corresponding normal tissue.
- EGFr mRNA was detected in RCC cell lines but not in TILs.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression of EGFr mRNA may be associated with malignant transformation in renal cell carcinomas.
- EGFr is a potential biomarker for RCC progression.
- Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential targeting EGFr in RCC.