Western blots and immunofluorescence showed expression of EGFR, EpoR and FGF in HEI-193, an immortalized cell line derived from human NF2-related VS. Matrigel invasion assays were used to study the effect of Epo, FGF and bFGF on invasive behavior in HEI-193.
Our findings with immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis indicate a level of ErbB-1 similar to normal peripheral nerve, but a high expression of ErbB-2 similar to the vestibular schwannoma and glioblastoma multiforme.
Activated epidermal growth factor receptor B (ErbB) 2 and ErbB3 are abundantly expressed in VS. ErbB2 signaling is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, survival, and proliferation.
These findings implicate a functional role of ErbB-2 in the benign nature of VS and that a rationale for using ErbB targeted therapies in VS may be warranted.