title: Expression of TNF-superfamily members BAFF and APRIL in breast cancer: immunohistochemical study in 52 invasive ductal breast carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies suggest an association between chronic inflammation, modulating the tissue microenvironment, and tumor biology. Tumor environment consists of tumor, stromal and endothelial cells and infiltrating macrophages, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells, producing an array of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, accounting for a complex cell interaction and regulation of differentiation, activation, function and survival of tumor and surrounding cells, responsible for tumor progression and spreading or induction of antitumor immune responses and rejection. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) family members (19 ligands and 29 receptors) represent a pleiotropic family of agents, related to a plethora of cellular events from proliferation and differentiation to apoptosis and tumor reduction. Among these members, BAFF and APRIL (CD257 and CD256 respectively) gained an increased interest, in view of their role in cell protection, differentiation and growth, in a number of lymphocyte, epithelial and mesenchymal structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have assayed by immunohistochemistry 52 human breast cancer biopsies for the expression of BAFF and APRIL and correlated our findings with clinicopathological data and the evolution of the disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BAFF was ubiquitely expressed in breast carcinoma cells, DCIS, normal-appearing glands and ducts and peritumoral adipocytes. In contrast, APRIL immunoreactive expression was higher in non-malignant as compared to malignant breast structures. APRIL but not BAFF immunoreactivity was higher in N+ tumors, and was inversely related with the grade of the tumors. Neither parameter was related to DFS or the OS of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data show, for the first time, an autocrine secretion of BAFF and APRIL from breast cancer cells, offering new perspectives for their role in neoplastic and normal breast cell biology and offering new perspectives for possible selective intervention in breast cancer.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, 71003, Greece. pelekanou@edu.med.uoc.gr
authors: Vassiliki
authors: V
authors: Pelekanou
authors: Marilena
authors: M
authors: Kampa
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Kafousi
authors: Katerina
authors: K
authors: Darivianaki
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Sanidas
authors: Dimitrios D
authors: DD
authors: Tsiftsis
authors: Efstathios N
authors: EN
authors: Stathopoulos
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Tsapis
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Castanas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13