HMGB1 attenuates anti-metastatic defense of the lymph nodes in colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Cancer-secreted high mobility group 1 (HMGB1) induces apoptosis of macrophages and suppresses the host anti-cancer immune system.


OBJECTIVE
We here examined the effect of HMGB1 on macrophages in the lymph nodes of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.


METHODS
Regional lymph nodes of 50 Dukes C CRCs were compared with 50 Dukes B CRCs.


RESULTS
Dukes C tumors exhibited higher HMGB1 labeling indices and higher HMGB1 concentrations in primary tumors than Dukes B CRCs. Macrophages in the regional lymph nodes were decreased in non-metastasized nodes as well as metastasized nodes in Dukes C cases, whereas macrophage numbers in Dukes B nodes were higher than in Dukes C nodes. Nodal HMGB1 concentration was higher in Dukes C nodes than in Dukes B nodes, being inversely correlated with macrophage numbers. Nodal HMGB1 concentration was correlated with HMGB1 concentration and lymph vessel density in the primary tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that HMGB1 secreted from primary tumors spread to the regional lymph nodes decreases the number of macrophages to attenuate the anti-metastatic defense of the lymph nodes in patients with CRCs.
Moriwaka
Yukiko
Y
Department of Molecular Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan.
Luo
Yi
Y
Ohmori
Hitoshi
H
Fujii
Kiyomu
K
Tatsumoto
Naokuni
N
Sasahira
Tomonori
T
Kuniyasu
Hiroki
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D024243:HMGB1 Protein