Premium
Transforming growth factor‐β distribution in basal cell carcinomas: relationship to proliferation index
Author(s) -
STAMP G.W.H.,
NASIM M.,
CARDILLO M.,
SUDHINDRA S.G.,
LALANI EN.,
PIGNATELLI M.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1993.tb03312.x
Subject(s) - cell growth , distribution (mathematics) , transforming growth factor , basal (medicine) , index (typography) , cancer research , biology , pathology , medicine , genetics , mathematics , computer science , insulin , mathematical analysis , world wide web
Summary Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF–β) distribution in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) was studied using polyclonal antibodies recognizing intra‐ (precursor) and extracellular (activated) forms (LC 1–30 and CC 1–30), and compared with an index of cell proliferation (PCNA immunoreactivity). Intracellular TGF‐β is found in suprabasal keratinocytes and the outer root sheath. Extracellular TGF‐β is largely absent from normal skin, but is abundant in the intercellular spaces of hyperplastic epidermis overlying BCCs. Twenty‐five of 29 BCCs showed increased extracellular TGF‐β in the desmoplastic stroma, with intercellular staining in nine of these. Intracellular TGF‐β was present in fibroblasts and endothelial cells, although only 17 of 29 BCCs were positive, predominantly in central cells showing apparent maturation. Little correlation was seen between the degree of staining of tumour cells and the distribution of extracellular TGF‐β. PCNA immunoreactivity was greater in BCCs compared with normal epidermis in 24 of 37 cases (P = 0.005), and was concentrated on the periphery of nodular BCCs. Strongest stromal reactivity for TGF‐β and maximal PCNA index also showed a significant correlation (P = 0.023). This study demonstrated abundant TGF‐β in the active stroma around BCCs, which may account for many of the morphological and functional characteristics of this tumour, but which may be a product of stromal rather than tumour cells.