Tumour necrosis factor-alpha immunodetection in blood monocytes and serum: preliminary findings in weight-losing cancer patients.
The peptide tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a central mediator of the host response. Identifying where and when TNF-alpha is produced may give insights into its potential role in various pathophysiological states. This paper describes a quantitative analysis of TNF-alpha expression in peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) at the single cell level. A pilot study has been undertaken, using this method to assess TNF-alpha expression in PBM from healthy volunteers and cancer patients. We also report mildly elevated serum TNF-alpha levels in the cancer patients, using an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) sensitive to 1 pg/mL of recombinant TNF-alpha. The results of this preliminary investigation suggest that TNF-alpha production may be altered in cancer patients.
McCall
J L
JL
Department of Surgery, Otago University Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Funamoto
S
S
Yun
K
K
Parry
B R
BR
D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009000:Monocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D015431:Weight Loss
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha