PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH-FACTOR AND ITS RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN HUMAN OLIGODENDROGLIOMAS

OBJECTIVE: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induces cellular prol iferation and differentiation by activating intracellular signaling me chanisms via their cognate receptors. In previous studies, we demonstr ated that human brain tumors such as meningiomas, astrocytomas, medull oblastomas, and ependymomas expressed the messenger ribonucleic acid f or the PDGF subunits and their receptors. In the present study, we inv estigated the expression of the messenger ribonucleic acid PDGF A and B chains and the PDGF alpha and beta receptors in 17 cases of oligoden drogliomas. METHODS: Measurements of messenger ribonucleic acid levels were obtained using radioactive complementary deoxyribonucleic acid p robes. Protein expression was analyzed with specific antibodies. RESUL TS: Sixteen of 17 tumors expressed the PDGF A subunit and all the PDGF alpha receptors. Furthermore, all the tumors expressed PDGF B and PDG E beta receptor subunits. CONCLUSION: The results of this study sugges t that oligodendrogliomas may have an autocrine loop stimulated by the interaction of PDGF and its receptor simultaneously produced by these tumors.