YKL-40: a novel marker shared by chronic inflammation and oncogenic transformation.
YKL-40, a member of 'mammalian chitinase-like proteins', is secreted by macrophages, neutrophils, chondrocytes, endothelial-, vascular smooth muscle-, and cancer cells. High serum YKL-40 is a biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with cancer, inflammation and increased tissue remodelling. High YKL-40 protein expression assessed by immunohistochemistry is found in breast carcinomas associated with short disease-free survival and in glioblastomas with increased resistance to radiotherapy and decreased overall survival. In this chapter we describe the methods for the detection of (1) YKL-40 protein expression in human tissues (using immunohistochemistry) and cell cultures (using immunocytochemistry); (2) YKL-40 mRNA expression in human tissues (using in situ hybridization and Polymerase Chain Reaction); and (3) YKL-40 protein concentrations in serum or plasma (using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay).
Roslind
Anne
A
Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
Johansen
Julia S
JS
D054392:Adipokines; D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D037102:Lectins; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D054392:Adipokines; D001324:Autoantigens; D015415:Biomarkers; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D037102:Lectins