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Autocrine Secretion—10 Years Later
- Michael B. Sporn, MD; and
- Anita B. Roberts, PhD
Abstract
▪ The concept of autocrine secretion, its subsequent modifications, its application for understanding pathogenesis of disease, and its potential for developing new approaches to prevention and treatment are reviewed. Peptide growth factors (cytokines) act as local autocrine and paracrine mediators of tissue homeostasis. Many diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other fibrotic diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, are associated with aberrant expression and cellular coordination of the homeostatic action of these regulatory molecules. Modern biotechnology and pharmacology offer unique opportunities for the therapeutic prevention and treatment of these molecular and cellular lesions, using either cytokines or other agents that
Article and Author Information
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From the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. For current author addresses, see end of text.
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Requests for Reprints: Michael B. Sporn, MD, National Cancer Institute, Building 41, Room C-629, Bethesda, MD 20892.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Sporn and Roberts: National Cancer Institute, Building 41, Room C-629, Bethesda, MD 20892.
