alpha5 integrin distribution and TGFbeta1 gene expression in supraglottic carcinoma: their role in neoplastic local invasion and metastasis.
BACKGROUND
Head and neck carcinomas are characterized by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) producing cytokines. Adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs), and cytokines regulate cell-cell and cell-ECMPs interactions. We investigated the distribution of these proteins to contribute to better understanding of their role in local tumor invasion and metastasis.


METHODS
Distribution of integrins, laminin, type IV collagen, tenascin, and fibronectin was immunohistochemically evaluated in 13 supraglottis carcinomas. Cytokines gene expression was assessed by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Neoplastic cells were alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1 and alpha6beta1 positive. Normal and metaplastic epithelium was alpha5beta1 negative; the stroma of primary and metastatic tumors was tenascin and fibronectin positive. TGFbeta1 and IFNgamma gene expression was observed in the majority of tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Because TGFbeta1 is known to down-modulate immune processes and to increase alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, and tenascin distribution, we propose that their expression in neoplastic cells of supraglottis carcinoma might represent an immune-related process able to help tumor growth and progression.
Vitolo
D
D
Second Chair of Pathological Anatomy and Immunopathology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University "La Sapilenza," Rome, Italy.
Ciocci
L
L
Ferrauti
P
P
Cicerone
E
E
Gallo
A
A
De Vincentiis
M
M
Baroni
C D
CD
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039482:Integrin alpha5; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012016:Reference Values; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D039482:Integrin alpha5; D016023:Integrins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta