Abstract
In 6 HCC cell lines, clear expressions of EGFR and TGF-alpha were found in flow cytometry, while expressions of EGF, HB-EGF and AR were quite low. TGF-alpha secretion into culture supernatants became measurable when TPA 0.5 microM was added. TPA accelerated the proliferation of KYN-3 cells, and anti-TGF-alpha neutralizing antibody suppressed this proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of exogenous TGF-alpha, EGF, AR, or HB-EGF with heparin accelerated cell proliferation. In non-stimulated cultures, cell proliferation was suppressed by anti-EGFR neutralizing antibody, but not by the antibodies for EGF, TGF-alpha, AR and HB-EGF. HCC may possess a paracrine system regulated by these 4 ligands, and an autocrine system, under a certain condition, via TGF-alpha and EGFR.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amphiregulin
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Antibodies / immunology
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
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Cell Division
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Cell Line
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Culture Media / chemistry
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EGF Family of Proteins
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Epidermal Growth Factor / biosynthesis*
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Epidermal Growth Factor / immunology
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Epidermal Growth Factor / physiology
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ErbB Receptors / biosynthesis*
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ErbB Receptors / physiology
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Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
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Glycoproteins / physiology
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Growth Substances / biosynthesis
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Growth Substances / physiology
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Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
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Humans
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
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Ligands
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Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Liver Neoplasms / pathology
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Transforming Growth Factor alpha / biosynthesis*
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Transforming Growth Factor alpha / immunology
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Transforming Growth Factor alpha / physiology
Substances
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AREG protein, human
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Amphiregulin
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Antibodies
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Culture Media
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EGF Family of Proteins
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Glycoproteins
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Growth Substances
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HBEGF protein, human
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Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Ligands
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Transforming Growth Factor alpha
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Epidermal Growth Factor
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ErbB Receptors