The effects of phenobarbitone and methylclofenapate were studied on the expression of growth factor and growth factor receptors in livers of male Wistar rats. The major findings were: (1) a significant reduction in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein observed with both treatments, and (2) levels of EGFR transcripts were only slightly decreased with both compounds. The reduction in the receptor level therefore does not occur via regulation of transcription. Mannose-6-phosphate receptors (M6PR, also called insulin-like growth factor II receptor) and M6PR transcripts remained unchanged in both experimental groups. Hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) transcripts were also unchanged in both experimental groups. Transcript levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) were lower in both treatment groups compared with the control; the reduction was significant in the methylclofenapate group. This may have relevance to the finding by others that nafenopin, another peroxisome proliferator, suppresses rat hepatocyte apoptosis. Another finding of general interest was that the three "housekeeping genes", namely albumin, actin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, were influenced by both treatments thus limiting their use as controls for gel loading. The adaptation of a growth regulatory mechanism via EGFR and its ligands may provide conditions such that cells with aberrant growth control have a selective growth advantage over normal cells thus promoting tumorigenesis.

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A partial immunocharacterization of oncosphere and metacestode antigens ofTaenia soliumwas carried out and compared to antigens from other taeniid species. The results indicated thatT. soliummetacestode antigen contained epitopes cross reactive with rabbit anti-sera to adult and oncospheral stages of the parasite. Oncospheres, however, consisted largely of stage specific antigens. Western blot analysis indicated thatT. soliumandT. pisiformisshared several oncospheral antigens; however, this was not the case withT. soliumandT. hydatigena. Western blot analysis showed a time-related increase in the number of molecules recognized by antibodies toT. soliumoncosphere and metacestode antigens in pigs experimentally infected withT. soliumeggs. Oncosphere specific antibodies were detected in pig sera one month after experimental infection whereas antibodies to cystic stage antigens were not present until the 3rd to 5th month post infection. Sera from neurocysticercotic patients as well as naturally infected cysticercotic pigs recognized high molecular weight antigens in the oncospheres.