-transparent.png){kind=logo}
It is well known that growth factors and proto-oncogenes play a pivotal role in organogenesis as well as in tumor development. The human placenta is a rapidly growing organ which shares some aspects with malignant tumors. We have studied the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and the receptor encoded by the c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene in first- and third-trimester human placentas. We compared these expression patterns with that of the proliferation marker Ki-67. By immunohistochemistry, EGF-R was intensively expressed in the villous cytotrophoblast in the first trimester. The apical plasma membrane of the syncytium was weakly stained. In placental villi from the third trimester the reaction product for EGF-R was most intense in single villous cytotrophoblastic cells and along the apical plasma membrane of the syncytium, whereas the basal plasma membrane was much less stained. C-erbB-2 protein product was expressed in the first and third trimesters along the apical membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast. Concerning the extravillous trophoblast in cell islands and cell columns, EGF-R was expressed in the cells proximal to the villous stroma whereas the distal cells were c-erbB-2 positive. The Ki-67 antibody revealed the proliferative character of the villous cytotrophoblast and of the EGF-R-positive extravillous trophoblast. In contrast, most of the c-erbB-2-positive cells were Ki-67 negative. By in situ hybridization, c-erbB-2 transcripts were found in all types of villous and extravillous trophoblast, including those that did not express c-erbB-2 protein product. Our data indicate that EGF-R expression is strongly related to the proliferative trophoblast and, with advancing pregnancy, to the differentiated villous trophoblast.off contrast, expression of c-erB-2 protein product occurs only in more advanced stages of trophoblast differentiation, although transcripts of c-erbB-2 are found in both proliferative and differentiated trophoblast. In addition, the coexpression of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 protein product in the syncytiotrophoblast suggests their involvement in complex regulation of hormones and growth factors.
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
January 1990,
Histopathology,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
October 2002,
Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
August 1997,
Histopathology,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
April 1995,
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (Tokyo, Japan),
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
July 1994,
Nippon Ganka Gakkai zasshi,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
February 1994,
Zhonghua bing li xue za zhi = Chinese journal of pathology,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
May 1992,
Journal of clinical pathology,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
March 1990,
Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
October 1992,
International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists,
J Mühlhauser, and
C Crescimanno, and
P Kaufmann, and
H Höfler, and
D Zaccheo, and
M Castellucci
October 1989,
The Journal of pathology,
