Transforming growth factor � is essential for spindle cell conversion of mouse skin carcinoma in vivo: implications for tumor invasion. Cell Growth Differ

Transforming growth factor i1 (TGF-131) regulates both cell growth and cellular plasticity and is therefore important in the molecular control of both the developmental and neoplastic processes. It has been suggested that TGF-1 may be a positive or negative regulator of tumongenesis. Stimulation of tumorigenesis could be due to its action as an immunosuppressor or as an inducer of angiogenesis, or by its direct action on the cell in promoting cellular plasticity. In the current study, we provide evidence that TGF-fil can act directly on keratinocytes in vivo to induce the reversible epithelial-mesenchymal conversion of a malignant metastatic keratinocyte cell line. Two squamous clones from the cell line wer