M-CSF (monocyte colony stimulating factor) and M-CSF receptor expression by breast tumour cells: M-CSF mediated recruitment of tumour infiltrating monocytes?
Infiltrating immune cells in 30 primary human epithelial breast tumours were studied using specific anti-CD3 (T cells), anti-CD68 (macrophages), anti-CD57 (NK cells), and an anti-pan-B cell antibody (L26). The majority of tumour infiltrating inflammatory cells are T cells (40-50%) and monocytes/macrophages (15-35%). The macrophage specific chemo-attractant and growth factor CSF-1 is detected by immunohistochemical techniques (IHC) at the level of invasive breast cancer cells in 46/50 tumours but not at the level of in-situ (pre-invasive) cancer. A mosaic staining pattern was usually observed, with a very high expression in areas of obvious stromal invasion (90% cells positive) and absent or trace staining in intraductal carcinoma. Macrophages and plasma cells are equally intensely positive. In-situ hybridisation experiments confirm the production of CSF-1 (mRNA) by tumour cells and show the same pattern of expression. Expression of the CSF-1 receptor protein (fms) was also observed by IHC in 41/48 invasive tumours, albeit at weaker intensities than in tumour infiltrating monocytes/macrophages. A concomitant expression of both CSF-1 and fms in in-situ carcinoma was never seen (n = 14). It is therefore proposed that the associated expression of CSF-1 and its receptor may be linked to the invasive potential of breast cancer, the monocytic infiltrate being an indication of the quantitative importance of CSF-1 production by the tumour.
Tang
R
R
Institut Curie, Service de Médecine Oncologique, Paris, France.
Beuvon
F
F
Ojeda
M
M
Mosseri
V
V
Pouillart
P
P
Scholl
S
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000737:chemistry; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor