Human mammary tumor cell proliferation: primary role of platelet-derived growth factor and possible synergism with human α-fetoprotein

Juan A. Leal, Bhushan K. Gangrade, John L. Kiser, Jeffrey V. May, Brooks A. Keel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human mammary medullary carcinoma cells (passages 16 to 21) were cultured for 2 days to allow for attachment, followed by 6 days of culture in either fetal calf serum, human cord blood, human amniotic fluid, or growth factors in the presence or absence of purified human α-fetoprotein (AFP). When growth factors were tested alone, only platelet-derived growth factor produced a significant increase in cell proliferation. Although up to 40% amniotic fluid had no effect on cell proliferation, human cord blood was two-fold more potent than fetal calf serum at similar concentrations. The addition of 10 ng/ml of platelet-derived growth factor increased the proliferative activity of human cord blood 1.5- to 2.5-fold. Ablation of endogenous AFP by affinity chromatography reduced the proliferative activity of cord blood by 75%. Similarly, the mitogenic activity of cord blood plus platelet-derived growth factor was reduced by 56% when AFP was removed. Purified AFP dose-dependently enhanced the proliferative activity of platelet-derived growth factor. This synergistic effect was specific for platelet-derived growth factor. We conclude that platelet-derived growth factor is a major growth factor controlling the proliferation of these tumor cells and that AFP may enhance growth factor proliferative activity and human mammary tumor growth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)247-251
Number of pages5
JournalSteroids
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1991
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • (AFP)
  • cancer cells
  • cell proliferation
  • mammary tumor cells
  • mammary tumor growth in vitro
  • mitogenic activity of AFP
  • oncofetal proteins
  • platelet-derived growth factor
  • α-fetoprotein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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