Differential modulation of human chorionic gonadotropin secretion by epidermal growth factor in normal and malignant placental cultures.

The ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to modulate the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in both normal and malignant placental cells was compared. Receptors for EGF were present on the JAr line of choriocarcinoma cells and were localized to the trophoblast cells of normal placental organ cultures as detected by immunofluorescence. Despite the presence of EGF receptors, the normal placenta did not respond to EGF by significantly increasing its levels of hCG production. The JAr line of choriocarcinoma exhibited a 2-fold increase in hCG secretion after the addition of EGF. EGF stimulated growth in the JAr cells, as measured by the protein content of the cultures, but did not elevate the incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine in either the JAr cells or placental organ cultures.