Background: Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a nonihibitory-member of the serine protease inhibitor gene family. Materials and Methods: The expression and localization of PEDF was assessed by quantitative-RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative image-analysis. Primary human pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), mouse neuroblastoma and human Schwann cells were used for functional experiments. Results: Cancer cells expressed various levels of PEDF. In cancer cell lines and in human immortalized pancreatic ductal epithelial cells, hypoxia increased PEDF-mRNA up to 132-fold. Higher expression of PEDF in cancer cells was significantly correlated with better patient survival, increased neuropathy, increased PSC activity and extracellular matrix protein production. Conclusion: PEDF increases PSC activity thereby contributing to the desmoplasia of pancreatic cancer. Increased focal PEDF expression in cancer cells correlates with neuropathic changes and better patient survival.
«
Background: Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a nonihibitory-member of the serine protease inhibitor gene family. Materials and Methods: The expression and localization of PEDF was assessed by quantitative-RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative image-analysis. Primary human pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), mouse neuroblastoma and human Schwann cells were used for functional experiments. Results: Cancer cells expressed various levels of PEDF. In cancer cell lines and in human i...
»