Characterization of macrophage subpopulations and microvessel density in carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract.
BACKGROUND
The role of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor angiogenesis and inflammation and the interactions between TAMs and tumor cells as well as lymphocytes appear to be critical factors in the development and progression of cancer.


METHODS
Carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract have been analysed by tissue microarrays. TAMs and vessels were characterized by immunohistochemistry using the antibodies PG-M1, KP1, MRP8, MRP14, MRP8/14 and CD31, CD34, respectively.


RESULTS
The number of all macrophages was significantly higher and lymphocyte densities were lower in tumor tissues than in tumor-free tissues. The MRP-antibodies identified a minority population of macrophages and a low numbers of these macrophages tended to occur in more advanced cancers. There was a positive correlation between the number of macrophages and the number of microvessels in all tumors, but no correlation between macrophages and vessel counts in tumor-free tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated a suppressed immune response towards the tumors. The observed common characteristics regarding macrophage attraction, lymphocyte suppression and microvessel density suggested that these mechanisms are regulated similarly in all carcinomas of the GI-tract.
Sickert
Denise
D
Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, University of Technology Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.
Aust
Daniela E
DE
Langer
Silke
S
Baretton
Gustavo B
GB
Dieter
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D040501:Calgranulin A / Q000032:analysis; D040502:Calgranulin B / Q000032:analysis; D002196:Capillaries / Q000737:chemistry; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000276:immunology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010733:Phosphoglucomutase / Q000032:analysis; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D040501:Calgranulin A; D040502:Calgranulin B; D010733:Phosphoglucomutase; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C488050:PGM1 protein, human