T-cell receptor Valpha gene expression of infiltrating T cells in pancreatic cancer.
BACKGROUND
T lymphocytes play a central role in the immune response to cancer, with specific T-cell reactivity provided by the T-cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta-chain heterodimer. Whereas human pancreatic adenocarcinoma is characterized by a massive infiltration of T lymphocytes, to date no analysis of the TCR Valpha-gene expression of the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer has been performed.


METHODS
Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by dot blot hybridization, we determined the TCR alpha-chain repertoire at the mRNA level in pancreatic carcinoma and compared our findings with the TCR Valpha repertoire in the normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis.


RESULTS
A heterogeneous lowly restricted TCR Valpha repertoire was observed in pancreatic carcinomas, different from the TCR Valpha repertoire in chronic pancreatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pancreas-infiltrating T cells show a distinct TCR Valpha gene expression profile in normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.
Müller-Ostermeyer
F
F
Institute of Medical Neurobiology, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg, Germany.
Ebert
M
M
Malfertheiner
P
P
Schubert
W
W
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000378:metabolism; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin