Moreover, MYCBP expression was positively correlated with tumor volume, and metastasis was associated with the expression of miR-210-5p and TGF-α in our patient cohort.
Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that MEIS1 is expressed in aberrant duct structures of Ela-TGFα transgenic mice as well as in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs), primary PDAC, and metastatic disease in Ptf1a<sup>Cre/+</sup> ;LSL-Kras<sup>G12D/+</sup> mice.
In conclusion, TGFα, via multiple signaling pathways, regulates KGN cell proliferation and migration and may play an important role in the growth and metastasis of GCTs.
In addition, the expression of EGFR and GRPR in the primary tumors correlated with TGF-alpha expression in paired nodal metastases (P = 0.0043 and P = 0.0268, respectively).
Thus, we suggest that TGF-alpha as well as VEGF, PD-ECGF and bFGF may be associated with angiogenesis, and the progression and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Moreover, they stimulate the expression of metalloproteinase genes suggesting that EGF and TGF-alpha successively evoke cascade phenomena which are most convenient for tumor progression, invasion and metastasis.