title: Distribution of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in human astrocytomas.
abstract: We used immunohistochemical techniques to study the distribution of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages in human astrocytomas. Thirteen of 15 grade 4 astrocytomas (glioblastomas) showed staining with anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody, predominantly in proliferating endothelial complexes and surrounding small and medium-sized blood vessels. Brain tissue microscopically free of tumor cells (n = 8) and more differentiated astrocytomas of varying grade (1 to 3; n = 6) devoid of endothelial proliferation did not stain with anti-TGF-beta 1. Normal brain contained only rare lymphoreticular cells. The majority of astrocytomas studied, however, contained T lymphocytes and macrophages with smaller numbers of B lymphocytes. The lymphoreticular infiltrates were concentrated primarily in close proximity to blood vessels. Within an individual tumor perivascular regions staining for TGF-beta 1 never contained more than occasional T lymphocytes. Perivascular regions not staining for TGF-beta 1 frequently contained low to high numbers of T lymphocytes. The inverse relationship in the distribution of TGF-beta 1 and lymphocyte infiltrates is compatible with a functional relationship between this cytokine and an immune effector cell response to glioblastomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Horst
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Scheithauer
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kovach
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; D008264:Macrophages; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta