title: Tissue microarray analysis of interleukin-20 expression.
abstract: Knowledge about the biological functions and clinical implications of interleukin (IL)-20, a recently discovered cytokine in the IL-10 family, is still incomplete. Our aim was to determine the distribution of IL-20 expression and to delineate the cell types that express IL-20 in healthy and neoplastic tissue, because this information will significantly affect the exploration of its pathophysiological roles. We used tissue microarray technology and an immunohistochemical survey using an anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody to examine IL-20 expression in 36 non-neoplastic and 14 neoplastic tissues. IL-20 protein was positively stained in 30 non-neoplastic tissue types and five major cell types: epithelial cells, myoepithelial cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, and skeletal muscle cells. We also found that several types of tumor cells stained positive for IL-20, especially in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, tongue, esophagus, and lung. Our data provide valuable references for further investigation of the biological functions and clinical implications of IL-20 in humans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Hsi
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsing
authors.forename: Chung-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Lih-Yun
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yi-Lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shih-Sung
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Ming-Shi
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C422042:interleukin 20