Significant correlation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression with neovascularization and progression of breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Macrophages often infiltrate into solid tumor tissues. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are known to play a crucial role in tumor progression. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is one of the major chemokines capable of inducing chemotactic migration of monocytes.


METHODS
With the objective of investigating the clinical significance of MCP-1, the authors analyzed the expression of MCP-1 and of some other molecules by immunohistochemistry in 230 samples of primary breast carcinoma tissue. MCP-1 staining was performed using an anti-MCP-1 monoclonal antibody, and it was assessed by grading the percentage of stained cells.


RESULTS
It was found that 117 breast tumor specimens (51%) had intensive staining in tumor cells. The expression of MCP-1 in tumor cells had a significant correlation with the expression of thymidine phosphorylase and membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase. In addition, MCP-1 expression tended to be associated with the accumulation of TAMs, which were counted by CD68 staining, and with microvessel density. MCP-1 expression in TAMs was correlated significantly with the histologic vessel invasion of tumor cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that MCP-1 may play key roles in macrophage recruitment, in the expression of angiogenic factors, and in the activation of matrix metalloproteinases in patients with breast carcinoma.
Saji
H
H
Department of Surgery, Breast Oncology Unit, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Koike
M
M
Yamori
T
T
Saji
S
S
Seiki
M
M
Matsushima
K
K
Toi
M
M
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone