title: Cytokine mRNA expression in basal cell carcinoma.
abstract: There is evidence that cytokines (CKs) play a significant role in the development and/or progression of skin cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8 in biopsy specimens of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and to compare the results with the mRNA levels of non-lesional skin of BCC patients and healthy subjects. Skin samples were obtained from 22 patients with BCC (lesional, non-lesional) and 25 healthy subjects (controls). Routine histology and real-time RT-PCR was performed. Histological examination revealed 12 nodular BCCs and 10 superficial BCCs. The mRNA levels of CKs observed in healthy controls did not significantly (P > 0.05) differ from non-lesional CK levels of BCCs patients. However, IL-6 and IL-8 levels of lesional skin were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the CK levels observed in non-lesional skin and controls, respectively. mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-8 showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.51; P < 0.05). There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between lesional mRNA levels of TNF-alpha and those levels observed in non-lesional skin and controls. The mRNA expression of CKs found in nodular and superficial BCCs did not significantly differ (P > 0.05). BCC is associated with a significant increase of IL-6 and IL-8 expression. We have shown for the first time that upregulation of IL-6 mRNA significantly correlates with IL-8 overexpresssion. In accordance with previous studies our data suggest a role for IL-6 and IL-8 in the development and/or progression of BCC, since mRNA expression of both CKs are significantly increased in tumour tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstr. 56, Bochum 44791, Germany. t.gambichler@klinikum-bochum.de
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gambichler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skrygan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bechara
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Tomi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Altmeyer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kreuter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger