[Growth factors in gynecology]

In this lecture, importance of growth factors in reproductive functions and cancer growth are discussed. Among many kinds of growth factors, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)alpha are mentioned; both of these are called as EGF family because these share a common receptor (EGF receptor) and show similar biological activities. It is known that growth factors are important in reproductive fields. They play vital roles in the follicle development and the endometrial proliferation in response to estrogen. We studied the expression and role of EGF and TGF alpha in human fallopian tube. Immunohistochemical and RT-PCR studies revealed the menstrual stages specific synthesis and expression of EGF and TGF alpha in tubal epithelial cells. They were abundant at the late follicular and luteal stages, were little at the early follicular stage, suggesting that these growth factors are expressed in response to estrogen. We, next, examined the role of these factors in early embryo development using mouse embryos. Embryo development was significantly improved when embryos were co-cultured with human tubal epithelial cells. However, the favorable effects of the tubal epithelial cells were almost completely abolished by the addition of anti-EGF and -TGF alpha neutralizing antibodies. These facts suggest that EGF and EGF alpha expressed in human epithelial cells promote embryo development in a paracrine manner. Autocrine mechanisms by growth factors are known to be important on cancer cell growth. Among many kinds of autocrine mechanisms TGF alpha/EGF receptor autocrine mechanism is the most commonly expressed in many kinds of cancers such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreas cancer and liver cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)