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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model
Published on: October 2, 2015
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in mesothelioma and nonneoplastic mesothelial cells in
V Ascoli1, C C Scalzo, F Facciolo
1Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Expression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) was detected by immunocytochemistry in normal and malignant mesothelial cells from 14 benign effusions and 22 mesotheliomas. Two well-characterized antireceptor monoclonal antibodies to the PDGFR alpha-subunit (PR292) and beta-subunit (PR7212) were used. PDGFR alpha-subunit outlined cell membranes intensely in nonneoplastic mesothelial cells, whereas it was focal in mesothelioma and limited to a few cases only. PDGFR beta-subunit was weakly expressed in the cytoplasm of normal mesothelium; in contrast, malignant mesothelial cells showed strong cytoplasmic staining. Our results show that normal mesothelium may be responsive to PDGF by the predominant expression of PDGFR-alpha and less by PDGFR-beta and indicate the presence of growth-stimulation loops in mesothelioma through PDGF/PDGFR-beta interaction. Also, scattered staining for the PDGFR alpha-subunit suggests that a PDGF-A chain/PDGFR-alpha interaction may also be active in mesothelioma cells growing in suspension.
Insights
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) expression differs between normal and malignant mesothelial cells. Malignant mesothelioma cells show increased PDGFR-beta, suggesting PDGF/PDGFR-beta loops drive tumor growth.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mesothelial cells are crucial in serous membranes.
- Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling is implicated in various cancers.
- Understanding PDGFR expression in mesothelioma is key to targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of PDGFR alpha- and beta-subunits in normal and malignant mesothelial cells.
- To explore the potential role of PDGF/PDGFR interactions in mesothelioma pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry was employed to detect PDGFR expression.
- Monoclonal antibodies PR292 (alpha-subunit) and PR7212 (beta-subunit) were utilized.
- Analysis was performed on samples from 14 benign effusions and 22 mesotheliomas.
Main Results:
- PDGFR alpha-subunit showed intense membrane staining in normal mesothelial cells, but focal staining in mesothelioma.
- PDGFR beta-subunit exhibited weak cytoplasmic expression in normal mesothelium, contrasting with strong cytoplasmic staining in malignant mesothelioma.
- Scattered PDGFR alpha-subunit staining was observed in suspended mesothelioma cells.
Conclusions:
- Normal mesothelium primarily expresses PDGFR-alpha, suggesting responsiveness to PDGF.
- Malignant mesothelioma cells exhibit increased PDGFR-beta expression, indicating potential PDGF/PDGFR-beta mediated growth stimulation loops.
- PDGF-A chain/PDGFR-alpha interactions may also contribute to mesothelioma cell proliferation.
