Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation in vitro, and recent studies demonstrated TGFβ1 overexpression in several different tumors. The role of TGFβ1 in hyperplastic and neoplastic thyroid diseases, however, has not been fully explored. This study was aimed at evaluating the expression of TGFβ1, both at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, in normal thyroid and in benign (hyperplastic and adenomatous) and malignant thyroid lesions, and at assessing its clinicopathologic correlates. The results demonstrated significantly increased TGFβ1 expression (p = 0.0009) in benign and malignant neoplasms, in comparison with nonneoplastic tissues; higher prevalence of TGFβ1 expression in thyroid carcinomas, as compared with adenomatous thyroids (p = 0.0008) was detected. Furthermore, TGFβ1 immunoreactivity was consistently correlated with a corresponding expression of mRNA in epithelial cells (p = 0.019). These data suggest that TGFβ1 is actively involved in thyroid tumorigenesis and that its overexpression in thyroid malignancies is attributable mainly to the actual synthesis by the neoplastic cells. We were unable, however, to document any correlation between TGFβ1 expression and thyroid tumor progression, which makes unlikely an adverse effect of TGFβ1 on the prognosis of thyroid carcinoma patients.
Expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in thyroid tumors
MAIORANO, Eugenio;GESUALDO, Loreto;FANELLI, Margherita;
1999-01-01
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation in vitro, and recent studies demonstrated TGFβ1 overexpression in several different tumors. The role of TGFβ1 in hyperplastic and neoplastic thyroid diseases, however, has not been fully explored. This study was aimed at evaluating the expression of TGFβ1, both at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, in normal thyroid and in benign (hyperplastic and adenomatous) and malignant thyroid lesions, and at assessing its clinicopathologic correlates. The results demonstrated significantly increased TGFβ1 expression (p = 0.0009) in benign and malignant neoplasms, in comparison with nonneoplastic tissues; higher prevalence of TGFβ1 expression in thyroid carcinomas, as compared with adenomatous thyroids (p = 0.0008) was detected. Furthermore, TGFβ1 immunoreactivity was consistently correlated with a corresponding expression of mRNA in epithelial cells (p = 0.019). These data suggest that TGFβ1 is actively involved in thyroid tumorigenesis and that its overexpression in thyroid malignancies is attributable mainly to the actual synthesis by the neoplastic cells. We were unable, however, to document any correlation between TGFβ1 expression and thyroid tumor progression, which makes unlikely an adverse effect of TGFβ1 on the prognosis of thyroid carcinoma patients.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
