Expression of c-sis (PDGF B-chain) and PDGF A-chain genes in ten human malignant mesothelioma cell lines derived from primary and metastatic tumors.

Ten human malignant mesothelioma cell lines from primary and metastatic sites were studied for the expression of c-sis (PDGF B-chain) and PDGF A-chain genes. Malignant mesothelioma cell lines expressed strongly the c-sis oncogene which is barely detectable in normal mesothelial cells. The PDGF A-chain gene expression was slightly elevated in malignant mesothelioma cell lines compared to the expression in normal mesothelial cells. Cytogenic and Southern blot analysis did not provide evidence for genomic amplification or rearrangement of the c-sis oncogene. These results suggest that malignant mesothelioma cell lines show constitutively enhanced expression of the c-sis and PDGF A-chain genes that could play a role in the etiology of this type of malignancy.