| Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor, Transforming Growth Factor-alpha and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Human Fallopian Tube at Various Menstrual Stages. |
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D J Kwon, S W Ryu, M R Kim, K W Chung, C H Kim, J W Lee |
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| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE
We studied the expression of epidermal growh factor[EGF] and transforming growth factor[TGF]-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor[EGFR] in human fallopian tube at various menstrual stages. METHODS: To confirm the expression of EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR immunohisochemically in human fallopian tube, we used monoclonal antibodies to EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical stainings using anti-EGF, anti-TGF- a and anti-EGFR antibodies showed a specific stainings in fallopian tube epithelium at late proliferative and early secretory stages, but the stainings were weak at early proliferative and late secretory stages. The patterns of expression of TGF- a and EGFR were similar to that seen with EGF. The immunostaining for EGF, TGF- a and EGFR was cycle-dependent. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR were expressed in human fallopian tube epithelium specifically to menstrual stages, and that the cycle dependency suggested a potential regulation of their expression by ovarian steroids, and that these growth factors may be involved in early embryonic development. |
| Key Words:
opian tube, Epidermal growth factor, Transforming growth factor-a, Epidermal growth factor receptor |
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