Expression of transforming growth factor alpha in plutonium-239-induced lung neoplasms in dogs: investigations of autocrine mechanisms of growth

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Radiation Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577918· OSTI ID:5638862

Gillett, N A; Stegelmeier, B L; Chang, I Y; Kelly, G ^[1]

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1. Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM (USA)

We have previously shown that 47% of radiation-induced lung neoplasms in dogs exhibit increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this study, we investigated the expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), a ligand for EGFR, to determine if an autocrine mechanism for growth stimulation was present in these tumors. As determined by immunohistochemistry, 59% (26/44) of the lung neoplasms examined had increased expression of TGF-alpha. Expression of TGF-alpha was not related to the etiology of the tumor, e.g., spontaneous or plutonium-induced; however, it was related to the phenotype of the tumor. Statistical analysis of the correlation of EGFR and TGF-alpha expression within the same tumor did not show a positive association; however, specific phenotypes did have statistically significant expression of EGFR or TGF-alpha, suggesting that overexpression of either the ligand or its receptor conferred a growth advantage to the neoplasm. Twenty-seven percent (32/117) of radiation-induced proliferative epithelial foci expressed TGF-alpha, and a portion of those foci (8/32) expressed both EGFR and TGF-alpha. This supports the hypothesis that these foci represent preneoplastic lesions, and suggests that those foci exhibiting increased expression of the growth factor or its receptor are at greater risk for progressing to neoplasia.

• OSTI ID: 5638862
• Journal Information: Radiation Research; (USA), Journal Name: Radiation Research; (USA) Vol. 126:3; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560162* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
CELL DIVISION
DOGS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
EXPERIMENTAL NEOPLASMS
GROWTH FACTORS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LIGANDS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
MITOGENS
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
PHENOTYPE
PLUTONIUM 239
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
PROTEINS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RECEPTORS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES