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Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
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Altered expression of transforming growth factor-alpha: an early event in renal cell carcinoma development

J I Everitt1, C L Walker, T W Goldsworthy

  • 1Department of Experimental Pathology and Toxicology, Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Altered expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is an early event in renal cell tumor development. This protein may be a key feature of the transformed cell phenotype in renal oncogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Regulation

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a key regulator of cell growth and differentiation.
  • Altered TGF-alpha expression and its receptor are linked to renal cell carcinomas.
  • The timing of TGF-alpha dysregulation in renal oncogenesis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether altered TGF-alpha expression occurs early or late in renal tubular oncogenesis.
  • To analyze TGF-alpha expression in preneoplastic lesions of renal cell carcinoma.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of TGF-alpha expression.
  • Utilized a rat model of hereditary renal cell carcinoma.
  • Examined TGF-alpha in various stages of tumor development and in non-neoplastic regenerating tissue.

Main Results:

  • Strong TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was observed in all stages of renal cell tumor development, including early dysplastic lesions.
  • Non-neoplastic regenerating renal tubules, despite similar proliferative capacity, did not show TGF-alpha staining.
  • Altered TGF-alpha expression is an early indicator in renal tumor progression.

Conclusions:

  • Altered TGF-alpha expression is an early event in renal tubular oncogenesis.
  • TGF-alpha may play a significant role in the transformed phenotype of renal cells.
  • This finding has implications for understanding early cancer development.

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