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Control of Cell Proliferation by Embryonal‐Origin Factors
Author(s) -
Barnea Eytan R.,
Barnea JeanDavid,
Pines Mark
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1996.tb00487.x
Subject(s) - cell growth , biology , embryogenesis , cell culture , cell , embryo , cancer cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , biochemistry , genetics
Embryogenesis can be paralleled and contrasted with cancerous cell proliferation; both embryogenesis and cancer are associated with extremely rapid cell proliferation. However, unlike cancer, embryogenesis is characterized by a delicate balance of proliferative and anti‐proliferative processes. We have found two chromatographically separated fractions derived from human embryonal neural tissue extracts that significantly suppress the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. The reduction in cell number was time dependent, with maximal inhibition (70%) observed after 4 days of incubation while maintaining cell viability. The anti‐proliferative effect was also evidenced by decreased [ 3 H]‐thymidine incorporation. Significant inhibition of proliferation of osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and Balb/c 3T3 cell lines was also obtained with a low concentration of the active fractions. Embryonal factors inhibited mouse and rat cell lines, indicating cross‐species effectiveness. The SDS‐PAGE of the biologically active ˜ 10.7 kDa region revealed several protein bands, while the biologically active ˜ 4.5 kDa fraction contained only weakly stainable bands. Thus, the embryo contains factors that control the proliferation of malignant cells. These potent and possibly novel compounds should be investigated for their potential therapeutic role in cancer and other proliferative disorders.