Expresión del receptor de factor de crecimiento epidérmico en cáncer de ovario / Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor in ovarian cancer

El cáncer de ovario es una de las neoplasias más letales dentro de los cánceres ginecológicos con altos niveles de resistencia a los tratamientos habituales. La identificación de blancos tumorales para terapias biológicas responde a la necesidad de desarrollar nuevas estrategias terapéuticas contra este tipo de tumor. Diferentes estudios han demostrado que existe asociación entre la expresión del ligando de EGF, así como sus receptores y el pronóstico de las pacientes con cáncer de ovario. Altos niveles de EGFr se asocian a proliferación, invasión, metástasis y resistencia a la quimioterapia. El uso de productos anti-EGF, como la vacuna CIMAvax-EGF, podría resultar beneficioso en el tratamiento del cáncer de ovario, lo que constituye una opción terapéutica para estas pacientes(AU)

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal neoplasms in gynecological cancers having high levels of resistance to the usual treatments.Identifying tumor targets for biological therapies responds to the need to develop new therapeutic strategies against this type of tumor. Different studies have shown that there is an association between EGF ligand expression, as well as receptors and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. High levels of EGFr are associated with proliferation, invasion, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. High levels of EGFr are associated with proliferation, invasion, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy.The use of anti-EGF products, such as the CIMAvax-EGF vaccine, could be beneficial in the treatment of ovarian cancer, which constitutes a therapeutic option for these patients(AU)

Influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) supplementation at different times of in vitro maturation of canine oocytes / Influência da suplementação do fator de crescimento epidermal (EGF) em diferentes momentos da maturação in vitro de oócitos caninos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes at different times of the process. Ovaries were collected from 55 bitches considered healthy and aseptically isolated, immersed in physiological solution (0.9% NaCl) and transported under refrigeration. Grade 1 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were selected and divided into two groups: control group (CG) and treatment group (TG). In CG 698 grade I COCs were placed in 4-well plates containing TCM-199 medium supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 100 IU/mL penicillin, 100 mg/mL streptomycin, 26 mM sodium bicarbonate, 1.5 mM sodium pyruvate, 2.9 mM sodium lactate pentahydrate, 0.6 mM cysteine, 0.03 IU/mL hCG, 0.5 µg/mL FSH, 20 µg/mL estrogen at 38.5ºC in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in times of 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. In TG 547 COCs received the same maturation medium plus 10 ηg/mL EGF. Logistic regression models (SAS, 2011) were constructed in order to estimate the chances of oocytes being observed at nuclear maturation stages in different culture times (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Based on the results found EGF-supplemented medium showed 2.56 times more chances of having an oocyte at metaphase I (M-I) than medium without EGF (p < 0.0001). The results of this study demonstrated that the time of 72 h showed 5.88 times more chances of having an oocyte at metaphase II (M-II) compared to time of 24 h (p = 0.0001) and 7.69 times more chance than time of 48 h (p = 0.0001). The chances of finding an oocyte at M-II were also 9.09 times higher in medium supplemented with EGF than in medium without EGF (p = 0.0001). Thus, these results demonstrated the essential importance of EGF at different moments of oocyte maturation, being a key component for the acquisition of meiotic competence in bitches, increasing the M-I and M-II rates.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do fator de crescimento epidermal (EGF) em diferentes momentos da maturação in vitro de oócitos caninos. Os ovários foram coletados de 55 cadelas consideradas sadias e isolados assepticamente, imersos em solução fisiológica e transportados refrigerados. Os complexos cumulus-oócito (COCs) grau 1 foram selecionados e divididos em dois grupos, denominados grupo controle (GC) e grupo tratamento (GT). No GC, 698 COCs grau I foram cultivados em placas de quatro poços contendo meio TCM-199 suplementado com 25 mM de HEPES, 100 UI/mL de penicilina, 100 mg/mL de estreptomicina, 26 mM de bicarbonato de sódio, 1,5 mM de piruvato de sódio, 2,9 mM de lactato de sódio penta hidratado, 0,6 mM de cisteína, 0,03 UI/mL de hCG, 0,5 µg/mL de FSH, 20 µg/mL de estrógeno em estufa úmida a 38ºC, 5% de CO2 nos períodos de 24h, 48 h e 72 h . Já no GT, 547 COCs receberam o mesmo meio de maturação acrescido de 10 ηg/mL do EGF. Modelos de regressão logística foram elaborados para estimar as chances do oócito ser observado nos estágios de maturação nuclear em diferentes tempos de cultivo. Com base nos resultados encontrados, o meio suplementado com EGF demonstrou 2,56 vezes mais chances de ter um oócito no estágio de metáfase I (M-I) do que o meio sem EGF (p < 0,0001). Os resultados desse estudo demonstraram também que o tempo de 72 h mostrou 5,88 vezes mais chances de ter um oócito no estágio de metáfase II (M-II) do que o tempo de 2 h (p = 0,0001) e 7,69 vezes mais chance do que o tempo de 48h (p = 0,0001). As chances de se encontrar um oócito em M-II também foram 9,09 vezes maiores no meio suplementado com EGF do que no meio sem EGF (p = 0,0001). Dessa forma, estes resultados demonstraram a importância essencial do EGF em diferentes momentos da maturação oocitária, sendo componente chave para a aquisição da competência meiótica nas cadelas, aumentando os índices de M-I e M-II.(AU)

Assessment of molecular recognition element for the quantification of human epidermal growth factor using surface plasmon resonance

Background: A method for the selection of suitable molecular recognition element (MRE) for the quantification of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is presented. Two types of hEGF antibody, monoclonal and polyclonal, were immobilized on the surface of chip and validated for its characteristics and performance in the quantification of hEGF. Validation of this analytical procedure was to demonstrate the stability and suitability of antibody for the quantification of target protein. Results: Specificity, accuracy and precision for all samples were within acceptable limit for both antibodies. The affinity and kinetic constant of antibodies-hEGF binding were evaluated using a 1:1 Langmuir interaction model. The model fitted well to all binding responses simultaneously. Polyclonal antibody (pAb) has better affinity (K D = 7.39e-10 M) than monoclonal antibody (mAb) (K D = 9.54e-9 M). Further evaluation of kinetic constant demonstrated that pAb has faster reaction rate during sample injection, slower dissociation rate during buffer injection and higher level of saturation state than mAb. Besides, pAb has longer shelf life and greater number of cycle run. Conclusions: Thus, pAb was more suitable to be used as a stable MRE for further quantification works from the consideration of kinetic, binding rate and shelf life assessment.

Epidermal growth factor receptors, testosterone levels and parotid gland changes in rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

It has been demonstrated that parotid glands of rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi present severe histological alterations; changes include reduction in density and volume of the acini and duct systems and an increase in connective tissue. We evaluated the association between morphological changes in parotid glands, circulating testosterone levels and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) expression in experimental Chagas disease in rats. Animals at 18 days of infection (acute phase) showed a significant decrease in body weight, serum testosterone levels and EGF-R expression in the parotid gland compared with a control group. Since decreases in body weight could lead to a reduction in circulating testosterone concentration, we believe that the reduction in EGF-R expression in parotid glands of infected rats is due to alterations in testosterone levels and atrophy of parotid glands is caused by changes in EGF-R expression. Additionally, at 50 days (chronic phase) of infection parotid glands showed a normal histological aspect likely due to the normalization of the body weight. These findings suggest that the testosterone-EGF-R axis is involved in the histological changes.

Nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos palpebrales / Subepidermal calcified nodules palpebral

La calcinosis cutis comprende cuatro formas de presentación: calcinosis cutis metastásica, calcinosis distrófica, calcinosis idiopática y nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos. La calcinosis cutis metastásica se desarrolla como resultado de hipercalcemia o hiperfosfatemia. En la calcinosis cutis distrófica, el calcio se deposita sobre un tejido previamente dañado. La calcinosis cutis idiopática es similar a la calcificación distrófica, pero se presenta sin evidencia de enfermedad subyacente. Los nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos, también conocidos como cálculos cutáneos se observan como lesiones pequeñas, elevadas y únicas. Se ven en niños o adultos jóvenes. El aspecto puede ser verrugoso o en casos tiene apariencia suave. La localización más común es en la cara. Se presentan cinco casos con diagnóstico de nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos, localizados en el párpado, diagnosticados en la Sección de Patología Ocular del Instituto Anatomopatológico "Dr. J. A. O’Daly"

Cutis calcinosis has four clinical presentations: metastatic calcinosis cutis, dystrophic calcinosis, idiopathic calcinosis and sub epidermal calcified nodules. Metastatic cutis calcinosis occurs as a result of hypercalcaemia or hyperphosphatemia. In dystrophic calcinosis cutis, calcium is deposited over a previously damaged tissue. Similar to dystrophic calcinosis, idiopathic calcinosis cutis is presented without any subjacent illness. Sub epidermal calcified nodules, also known as a cutaneous calculus are tiny, unique and elevated lesions. It is appear in children or young adults. The clinical aspect may be since soft lesions to verrugous appearance. The most common site to be seen is on the face. We present five eyelid sub epidermal calcified nodules diagnosed in Ocular Pathology Section at The Instituto Anatomopatologico "Dr. Jose A. O’Daly"

Estudo comparativo da concentração salivar do fator de crescimento epidérmico em indivíduos com laringite crônica por doença do refluxo gastroesofágica antes e após o tratamento: resultados preliminares / Salivary egf concentration in adults with reflux chronic laryngitis before and after treatment: preliminary results

Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos do refluxo laringofaríngeo (RLF) são pouco conhecidos. O Fator de Crescimento Epidérmico (EGF) é a proteína de produção salivar com maior ação na regeneração do epitélio da orofaringe e tubo digestivo alto, tendo sido demonstradas deficiências em sua concentração salivar em indivíduos com RLF. OBJETIVO: Comparar a concentração salivar de EGF em um mesmo indivíduo com RLF antes e após o tratamento. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Neste estudo prospectivo doze indivíduos com DRGE e RLF de moderada intensidade tiveram sua saliva espontânea coletada antes e após o tratamento e controle da doença. A concentração salivar de EGF foi estabelecida através de exame de ELISA (Quantikine ®). RESULTADOS: Onze pacientes eram do sexo feminino e um do sexo masculino, com idade média de 49 anos. A concentração salivar de EGF pré-tratamento foi de 2.867,6pg/mL e a pós-tratamento foi 1.588,5pg/mL, sendo esta diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,015). DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de a concentração salivar de EGF ser maior nos indivíduos antes do tratamento, esta não consegue alcançar àquela de uma população normal (estabelecida previamente), o que sugere uma deficiência primária deste importante fator de defesa em indivíduos com RLF.

The Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) physiopathology is still unknown. The Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a biologically active salivary protein that aids in the rapid regeneration of the oropharyngeal and upper digestive tract mucosas. Salivary deficiency of this protein in patients with LPR has been demonstrated in previous studies. AIM: To compare salivary EGF concentration in patients with LPR before and after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study twelve patients with GERD and moderate LPR were studied. Whole saliva samples were collected before and after treatment and salivary EGF concentration was determined using a commercially available ELISA kit (Quantikine ®). RESULTS: There were eleven females and one male among the patients, the mean age was 49 years. The mean pre-treatment salivary EGF concentration was 2,867.6 pg/mL and the mean post treatment EGF concentration was 1,588.5 pg/mL. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.015). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Although salivary EGF concentrations are higher before LPR treatment, the concentration is still much lower than the mean salivary EGF concentration in normal individuals without LPR, which suggests a primary disorder of this defense factor in individuals with LPR.

The Changes of Ammonia and Epidermal Growth Factor Concentration in Gastric Juice before and after the Helicobacter pylori Eradication / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the cause of peptic ulcer diseases, and gastric cancer. Hydrolysis of urea generating ammonia may cause cytotoxic effects on the gastric epithelium. The ammonia may induce the synthesis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in gastric epithelium as an adaptive cytoprotective mechanism. The first aim was to examine the concentration of ammonia and EGF in gastric juice before and after H. pylori eradication in functional dyspepsia patients. The second aim was to examine the correlation among ammonia concentration, EGF concentration, and inflammatory score of gastritis. METHODS: The concentration of ammonia and EGF were measured by ELISA. The grade and severity of gastritis were measured according to the updated Sydney system. RESULTS: The concentration of ammonia in gastric juice was much higher in the H. pylori positive subjects (10,787 +/- 6,584 micro mol/L) than in the negative subjects (2,339 +/- 1,158 micro mol/L, p<0.0001). The concentrations of EGF in gastric juice was much higher in the positive subjects (1,462 +/- 393 pg/mL) than in the negative subjects (1,088 +/- 499 pg/mL, p<0.005). The concentration of ammonia and EGF in gastric juice showed significant correlation (r=0.63, p<0.0001). The concentrations of ammonia and histologic severities showed significant correlation (r=0.41, p<0.0001). Moreover, the level of EGF in gastric juice and histologic severities showed positive correlation (r=0.20, p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: As the concentration of ammonia in gastric juices increased, the concentration of EGF was also increased in functional dyspepsia with H. pylori infection. The concentration of EGF in gastric juice may play a role in the adaptive cytoprotection in H. pylori- induced gastritis.

Factores de crecimiento y oncogenes en adenocarcinomas mamarios inducidos por acetato de medroxyprogesterona en ratones BALB/c / Growth hormones and oncogenes in mammary adenocarcinomas induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate in BALB/c mice

We have studied the involvement of growth factors (GF), their receptors (GF-R) and oncogenes in modulating tumor growth in the medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-induced mammary tumor model in BALB/c mice. We demonstrated the presence of both ligands of the insulin-like growth factor family (IGF-I, IGF-II) and the two types of receptors (IGF-RI, IGF-RII). MPA upregulated IGF-II mRNA and protein levels in hormone-dependent lines (MPA-D). The progression to a hormone-independent phenotype was accompanied by a high constitutive expression of IGF-II and by a significant decrease in IGF-IIR number. An antisense strategy used to evaluate the role of IGF in the MPA-induced growth of epithelial MPA-D cells showed that IGF mediate progestin-induced mammary tumor growth by autocrine/intracrine pathways. We also studied the role of heregulins (HRG), the recently identified ligands for the c-erbB3 and c-erbB4 oncogenes. HRG mRNA expression was restricted to tumors of ductal origin. MPA induced an in vivo up-regulation of HRG expression. Finally, we also found that MPA may be exerting its proliferative effect on MPA-D lines by inhibiting the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1, (TGF-beta 1) and the lack of expression of TGF-beta 1 in hormone-independent tumors may be related to the acquisition of autonomous growth.

El factor de crecimiento humano: su presencia en la orina neonatal y su participación en el período perinatal / Human growht factor in neonatal urine and its particiaption in perinatal period

Se desarrolló un radioinmunoensayo homólogo, con anticuerpos policlonales, utilizando un antígeno altamente purificado, obtenido por DNA recombinante. El método permite cantidades del factor de crecimiento epidérmico tan bajas como 20 picogramos/tubo; es altamente específico y confiable. El presente estudio aporta a la literatura la primera evidencia científica de la existencia de niveles inmunoreactivos medibles del Factor de Crecimiento Epidérmico en la primera orina de un grupo de recién nacidos a término. En el líquido amniótico se demuestra que existen niveles medibles de hEGF al igual que lo han demostrado otros autores en dos trabajos anteriores. Estos niveles son relativamente bajos en comparación con los urinarios

Estudios sobre el factor de crecimiento epidérmico: II, desarrollo de un radiorreceptor análisis para la determinación de cantidades psicomolares / Studies on the epidermial growth factor: II, development of an analysis radioreceptor for determining psicomole quantities

El desarrollo de la tecnología de producción de Factor de Crecimiento Epidérmico, murino y humano, y la profundización de los estudios sobre el papel fisiológico de esta molécula, requieren métodos precisos de determinación a las concentraciones en que estos factores son activos (aproximadamente 10 a la menos 10 M). Nosotros encontramos que las células del tumor ascítico de Ehrlich, a pesar de su notable indiferenciación, expresan una gran cantidad de receptores específicos de membrana para el Factor de Crecimiento Epidérmico. Además, la afinidad aparente de la interacción ligando-receptor en células enteras es un orden de magnitud superior a la que se obtiene en fracciones de membrana, y con células enteras, la unión inespecífica es mínima. La coincidencia de estas circunstancias permitió desarrollar un método de radiorreceptor análisis sensible hasta concentraciones psicomolares, que presenta ventajas sobre el radioinmunoanálisis y permite abordar el estudio de la liberación de péptidos análogos a este factor en neoplasias humanas