[Expression of LIF as autocrinal growth factor in human medulloblastomas]

In this study, in vivo and in vitro expression of LIF and its signal transducer genes, LIFR and gp130 in medulloblastoma cells and its role(s) in the cell proliferation were investigated by different approaches. The results revealed that 12 out of 13 cases examined were found to express LIF and more than 90% of the samples to express LIFR and gp130. Functional evaluation of LIF using Med-3 cells showed that the cell growth and DNA synthesis could be efficiently inhibited (P < 0.001) by neutralization of LIF bioactivity. Our data thus demonstrated the importance of LIF as autocrtinal growth factor in the proliferation of medulloblastoma cells and also implicated a potential new therapeutic approach for a better treatment of the tumors through blockage of LIF gene expression and/or ligand interaction.