The Expression and Significance of TGF-beta Isoforms in Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the cellular role of TGF-beta in HNP specimens using immunohistochemistry stain (IHS) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disc tissues including the nucleus pulposus were collected from 19 patients who underwent disc resection due to radiculopathy. After performing IHS and RT-PCR on the HNP tissues, the correlation between TGF-beta isoform expression and other factors was investigated. RESULTS: In terms of isoform expression according to HNP types, TGF-beta 1 and- 2 were expressed weakly in the protruded type, whereas TGF-beta 1, - 2, and- 3 were expressed evenly in the extruded and sequestrated types. No significant differences in histological grades and TGF-beta expressions were observed according to the patients' age, sex, degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, sensory and motor nerve involvement, or symptomatic duration. A higher level of TGF-beta expression could be seen on immunohistological staining according to the grade of HNP exposure, and higher expression was also noted according to mRNA level using RT-PCR compared with the extruded and sequestrated types. CONCLUSION: However, further studies on differences in TGF-beta isofrom expression to the degree of degeneration are required, TGF-beta participates in wound healing and repair processes after the development of disc tissue damage. A possible application of TGF-beta as a new method for the treatment of HNP is expected.

The Clinical Significance of VEGF and TGF-beta Expression in Osteosarcoma / 대한정형외과학회잡지

INTRODUCTION: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta ) is a multipotent glycoprotein that has been implicated in tumor development. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an endothelial-specific mitogen that is overexpressed in various malignancies, is believed to be a potent regulator of angiogenesis. Osteosarcoma was examined to determine firstly, if VEGF and the TGF-beta isoform were overexpressed in this sarcoma, and secondly, if the degree of expression might represent a significant biologic predictor for disease-specific survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected paraffin-embedded tissues of surgical specimens from 25 patients of prechemotherapy case with osteosarcoma, who were treated between 1995 and 2001 were stained with rabbit polyclonal anti-VEGF and TGF-beta isoform antibodies. RESULTS: The majority of high-grade osteosarcomas in this study had a high intensity TGF-beta 2, - 3 and VEGF expression levels. The three in 5 patients who died of the disease had a high VEGF expression level. However VEGF expression was only independent predictor of overall survival. CONCLUSION: Further studies about TGF-beta and VEGF may provide useful information for understanding of pathophysiology of osteosarcoma.