Abstract
Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is a polypeptide which is structurally related to epidermal growth factor (EGF)1,2 and binds to the EGF receptor3,4. TGF-α synthesis occurs in a variety of neoplastic cells5 and during early fetal development6,7 but has not been reported in normal cells of the adult organisms. TGF-α has therefore been regarded as an embryonic growth factor which is inappropriately expressed during neoplasia. Here we report that primary cultures of normal human keratinocytes synthesize TGF-α. Furthermore, we show that addition of EGF or TGF-α to these cultures induces TGF-α gene expression, suggesting that a mechanism of auto-induction exists. Analysis of normal skin biopsies using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrates the in vivo presence of TGF-α messenger RNA and protein in the stratified epidermis.
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Coffey, R., Derynck, R., Wilcox, J. et al. Production and auto-induction of transforming growth factor-α in human keratinocytes. Nature 328, 817–820 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/328817a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/328817a0
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