Expression of PDGF and PDGF receptors in human astrocytoma operation specimens supports the existence of an autocrine loop. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Established cell lines derived from human malignant astrocytomas typically express a combination of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor which could form an autocrine loop. In this study, we screened for the essential components of a PDGF autocrine loop in fresh surgical isolates of human astrocytomas, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. Eight malignant astrocytomas (6 glioblastomas and 2 anaplastic astrocytomas), 5 low-grade astrocytomas and 4 non-neoplastic glial specimens (mesial temporal sclerosis) were evaluated. Malignant astrocytomas, and to a lesser extent low-grade astrocytomas, expressed more PDGF-A and PDGF-B than non-neoplastic glia. PDGF-alpha-receptor expression was elevated both in malignant and in low-grade astrocytomas. These data support the argument that PDGF autocrine loops contribute to the unregulated growth of human astrocytomas. Expression of PDGF and PDGF receptor in low-grade astrocytomas suggests that activation of PDGF autocrine loops may be an early event in the pathogenesis of malignant astrocytomas.

publication date

  • January 17, 1995

Research

keywords

  • Astrocytoma
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0028911678

PubMed ID

  • 7829210

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 60

issue

  • 2