Expression of interleukin 10 in human melanoma.
The expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10) mRNA in human malignant melanoma was investigated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Selective expression of IL-10 mRNA in tissues of primary melanomas and melanoma metastases was found in comparison with normal skin. In addition, strong expression of IL-10 mRNA and of biologically active IL-10 was detected in 3 out of 13 melanoma cell lines. Normal melanocytes consistently expressed low levels of IL-10 mRNA but did not produce detectable IL-10 protein, nor did keratinocytes or fibroblasts. The production of biologically active IL-10 by melanoma cell lines suggests that IL-10 mRNA in melanoma lesions may derive at least in part from the tumour cells themselves. Tumour-infiltrating cells, however, could also be a source of IL-10 in melanoma tissues. The presence of IL-10 in melanoma lesions may contribute to the postulated 'paralysis' of an anti-melanoma immune response.
Krüger-Krasagakes
S
S
Institute of Immunology, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
Krasagakis
K
K
Garbe
C
C
Schmitt
E
E
Hüls
C
C
Blankenstein
T
T
Diamantstein
T
T
D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D016753:Interleukin-10