Steroid Hormones in NF1 Tumorigenesis
Abstract
This work is testing the hypothesis that human NF1 neurofibroma (and/or MPNST) Schwann cells have increased growth or decreased apoptosis in response to estrogen and progesterone. Specific Aim 1 measured steroid hormone receptor expression in human normal, NF1 neurofibroma and MPNST Schwann cells. We found less than 2-fold difference in these - receptor transcripts in tumor versus normal Schwann cells, however this may still be of biological significance. There is no detectable estrogen receptor in normal Schwann cells or NF1 tumors by immunohisto-chemistry (IHC). However, IHC assay for progesterone receptor was weakly positive in a minority of neurofibromas, consistent with transcript data in primary tumors (implicating non-Schwann cell). Specific Aim 2 tested in vitro response of tumor cells to hormones. RT-PCR, proliferation assays, and apoptosis assays showed a few significant responses of the neurofibroma/MPNST Schwann cell cultures to hormones or antagonists, but no global patterns, indicating tumors behave individually as expected. Specific Aim 3 tests in vivo hormone response of tumor cells xenografted into Nf1 mouse nerve. One MPNST has shown a dramatic effect with estrogen, with other cultures still under analysis. Preliminary data support an in vivo effect of hormones consistent with tumorigenesis (accumulated cell numbers) in at least some tumors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428454
Entities
People
- David Muir
- Margaret R. Wallace
- Martha Campbell-thompson
Organizations
- University of Florida