Gene expression of epidermal growth factor, c-fos and c-myc in fetal and children skins / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate gene expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), its receptor (EGFR) and two protooncogenes (c-fos and c-myc), in fetal skin at different development stages and children skin and to delineate their potential biological significance. Methods Fetal skin biopsies of human embryo were obtained from spontaneous abortions at different gestational ages from 13 to 32 weeks and children skin specimens were collected from patients undergoing plastic surgery. After morphological characteristics of skin at different development stages were detected with histological methods, gene expressions of EGF, EGFR, c-fos and c-myc in skin at different development stages were examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR). Results Gene expression of EGF, EGFR, c-fos or c-myc could all be detected in fetal and childern skins. In fetal skin, the gene expression of these 4 genes was weak. Gene expression of these genes in skin was progressively enhanced with increasing gestational age. In children skin, the mRNA contents of these 4 genes were significantly increased in comparison with those in fetal skin (P