IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR-I (FGF-1) AND FGF-2 IN CULTURED HUMAN AMELOBLASTOMA EPITHELIAL-CELLS AND AMELOBLASTOMA TISSUES

Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) and FGF-2 are mitogenic polypeptide s that may contribute to neoplastic cell proliferation. In the present study, we established a serum-free culture system for ameloblastoma c ells and demonstrated that the additon of FGF-1 and FGF-2 enhanced cel l growth in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoperoxidase staining of cult ured cells demonstrated strong expression of FGF-1 and FGF-2. In tissu e specimens, FGF-1 was localized in epithelial cell components of amel oblastomas, whereas FGF-2 was mainly found in the basement membranes w ith only moderate staining in epithelium. These data suggest that both FGF-1 and FGF-2 may contribute to the growth and development of amelo blastomas.