Interleukin 4 receptor expression on human lung tumors and normal lung.
Interleukin 4 (IL-4) receptors were detected by a monoclonal antibody on tumor cells of 10 of 29 squamous cell carcinomas and 6 of 17 adenocarcinomas of the lung. None of the small cell carcinomas or carcinoid tumors stained. Parallel sections stained for epidermal growth factor receptors showed that all but 2 of the IL-4 receptor-positive tumors also expressed epidermal growth factor receptors. Positive labeling for IL-4 receptors was also obtained on nonneoplastic bronchial epithelium and on lymphocytes and macrophages infiltrating the tumor stroma. The role of IL-4 and its receptor in normal human lung is unknown, but the expression of IL-4 receptors on particular subtypes of lung tumors suggests that they may have a role in differentiation or proliferation of squamous and adenocarcinomas.
Tungekar
M F
MF
Nuffield Department of Pathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, England.
Turley
H
H
Dunnill
M S
MS
Gatter
K C
KC
Ritter
M A
MA
Harris
A L
AL
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D015847:Interleukin-4; D066246:ErbB Receptors