TY - JOUR

T1 - Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor alpha in normal human tissues

AU - Christensen, M E

AU - Poulsen, Steen Seier

PY - 1996/5

Y1 - 1996/5

N2 - Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is a polypeptide with well-characterized growth promoting properties. The effects are exerted through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF receptor), which is present on many different kinds of cells. The growth factor was initially shown to induce anchorage-independent growth of normal cells and was, therefore, considered as an "oncogenic" growth factor. Later, its immunohistochemical presence in normal human cells as well as its biological effects in normal human tissues have been demonstrated. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate the distribution of the growth factor in a broad spectrum of normal human tissues. Indirect immunoenzymatic staining methods were used. The polypeptide was detected with a polyclonal as well as a monoclonal antibody. The polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies demonstrated almost identical immunoreactivity. TGF-alpha was found to be widely distributed in cells of normal human tissues derived from all three germ layers, most often in differentiated cells. In epithelial cells, three different kinds of staining patterns were observed, either diffuse cytoplasmic, cytoplasmic in the basal parts of the cells, or distinctly localized adjacent to the nucleus, usually on the luminal aspect, corresponding to the localization of the Golgi complex. The latter staining pattern was seen predominantly in secretory epithelial cells. The present study thus confirms previous studies and elaborates new localizations of TGF-alpha in normal human tissues by investigating a broad spectrum of tissues in detail.

AB - Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is a polypeptide with well-characterized growth promoting properties. The effects are exerted through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF receptor), which is present on many different kinds of cells. The growth factor was initially shown to induce anchorage-independent growth of normal cells and was, therefore, considered as an "oncogenic" growth factor. Later, its immunohistochemical presence in normal human cells as well as its biological effects in normal human tissues have been demonstrated. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate the distribution of the growth factor in a broad spectrum of normal human tissues. Indirect immunoenzymatic staining methods were used. The polypeptide was detected with a polyclonal as well as a monoclonal antibody. The polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies demonstrated almost identical immunoreactivity. TGF-alpha was found to be widely distributed in cells of normal human tissues derived from all three germ layers, most often in differentiated cells. In epithelial cells, three different kinds of staining patterns were observed, either diffuse cytoplasmic, cytoplasmic in the basal parts of the cells, or distinctly localized adjacent to the nucleus, usually on the luminal aspect, corresponding to the localization of the Golgi complex. The latter staining pattern was seen predominantly in secretory epithelial cells. The present study thus confirms previous studies and elaborates new localizations of TGF-alpha in normal human tissues by investigating a broad spectrum of tissues in detail.

KW - Antibodies, Monoclonal

KW - Autopsy

KW - Breast

KW - Digestive System

KW - Endocrine Glands

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Immunohistochemistry

KW - Lymphoid Tissue

KW - Male

KW - Nervous System

KW - Placenta

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Respiratory System

KW - Sense Organs

KW - Skin

KW - Stomatognathic System

KW - Tissue Distribution

KW - Transforming Growth Factor alpha

KW - Urogenital System

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 8781993

VL - 105

SP - 391

EP - 400

JO - Histochemistry and Cell Biology

JF - Histochemistry and Cell Biology

SN - 0948-6143

IS - 5

ER -