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Mitogen accumulation in von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis
Author(s) -
Ratner Nancy,
Lieberman Michael A.,
Riccardi Vincent M.,
Hong Dingming
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410270312
Subject(s) - neurofibromatosis , neurofibromatoses , medicine , pathology
Most, but not all, patients with von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis develop tumors (neurofibromas) that contain large numbers of Schwann cells and fibroblasts. To begin to understand the molecular events that contribute to cell proliferation in these benign tumors, we have analyzed extracts of neurofibromas to determine whether they contain mitogens for Schwann cells or fibroblasts, or both. Schwann cell and fibroblast mitogens are present in neurofibroma extracts. All the neurofibromas analyzed contain a Schwann cell mitogen similar to a neuronal cell surface molecule known to stimulate Schwann cell proliferation during normal development; this mitogen also stimulates fibroblast proliferation. Basic fibroblast growth factor is present in 60% of tumors evaluated. Accumulation of mitogenic substances may contribute to the growth of neurofibromas.