Enhancement of leukocyte adhesion after percutaneous irradiation in rats with hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of percutaneous radiation on leukocyte-endothelium interaction (LEI) in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Twelve ACI rats underwent HCC-inoculation, six of which on day 12 received low-dose external radiation and six did not. After 12 h intravital microscopy was performed.


RESULTS
LEI was significantly reduced in tumor tissue. However, irradiation of liver sinusoids and tumor tissue with 6 Gy led to a significant activation of leukocyte adhesion in the tumor with a marked increase of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that the immunological tumor-endothelial barrier can be overcome by external irradiation.
Maksan
Sasa-Marcel
SM
Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany. maksan@ach.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Schmidt
Eduard
E
Ryschich
Eduard
E
Harms
Wolfgang
W
Schmidt
Jan
J
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D011912:Rats, Inbred ACI