RT-PCR analysis of immune-modulating factors in PBMCs from patients with cancer: reduced IL-2 and increased IL-2-receptor (p55) expression characterize gastroenteric neoplasms.
BACKGROUND
To determine the potential contribution of cytokines associated with lymphocyte activation to the pathogenesis of immune impairment in gastroenteric cancer, we examined the expression of cytokine mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor-draining lymph nodes (LNs).


METHODS
Using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, mRNA transcripts for interleukin (IL)-4, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-1 beta, IFN gamma, IL-10 and IL-2-receptor(IL-2R)(p55) were detected in PBMCs from 16 patients with gastroenteric cancer, undergoing surgical resection, and from 13 healthy donors.


RESULTS
Patients expressed a different pattern of cytokines. Significantly increased IL-2R(p55) and reduced IL-2 mRNA expression were found in patients (p = 0.034, p = 0.043). IL-10 expression was significantly correlated to IL-2R(p55) expression in both groups (p = 0.011, p = 0.009). In LNs, the results reflected those from PBMCs of the same patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastroenteric cancer showed a suppressive pattern of cytokine expression, suggesting an impairment of T cell activation that can be evidenced from the specific pattern of PBMC cytokine expression.
Piancatelli
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C.N.R. Institute of Tissue Typing and Dialysis, Piazzale Collemaggio, Roma, Italy.
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D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2