Immunocytochemical localization of plasminogen activators in carcinomas in the cervix and vulva.
The presence of plasminogen activators (PA) in a variety of solid tumours appears to correlate, in a number of instances, with enhanced invasive and/or metastatic ability. Urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators (u-PA and t-PA) in normal and neoplastic tissues of cervix and of vulva were immunohistochemically identified by means of polycyclonal antibodies. In addition, frozen sections were analysed for u-PA and t-PA activity by in-situ zymography technique. Data collected in our study showed that in invasive cancer u-PA increased more in malignant cells as compared to normal cells in both the inactive and active enzymatic forms. The t-PA distribution pattern was related to angiogenesis while it did not relate to the degree of tumor differentiation. A synergic interaction between proteolytic tumoral activity and proteolytic inflammatory action could be hypothesized.
Parolini
S
S
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy.
Rosa
D
D
Flagiello
D
D
Bonardi
F
F
Rampinelli
F
F
Bianchi
U A
UA
Molinari Tosatti
M P
MP
D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000737:chemistry*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis*; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator