In situ expression of the CCL20-CCR6 axis in lymphocyte-rich gastric cancer and its potential role in the formation of lymphoid stroma.
Lymphocyte-rich gastric cancer (Ly-rich GC) is characterized by lymphoid stroma. To understand its formation, we studied the expression of a chemokine ligand (CCL)20 and its receptor CCR6 in 36 and 37 cases of Ly-rich- and conventional GC, respectively. Lymphoid tissues in the alimentary tract were studied in parallel. By quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Ly-rich GC contained CCL20 and CCR6 mRNAs at higher levels than conventional GC. By immunohistochemistry, CCL20 was expressed by cancer cells more frequently in Ly-rich GC than in conventional GC. This was comparable with its expression in epithelial cells of the alimentary tract lymphoid tissues. CCR6 was mostly expressed by dendritic cells (DC) and B cells in Ly-rich GC, which was also comparable with its expression in the alimentary tract lymphoid tissues. Cancer cells also expressed CCR6. However, its expression did not differ between Ly-rich- and conventional GC, nor was it related to the stage of cancer. Given that the CCL20-CCR6 axis is involved in the formation of alimentary tract lymphoid tissue, the similarity between the lymphoid stroma of Ly-rich GC and the alimentary tract lymphoid tissues supports the notion that it plays a significant role in the formation of lymphoid stroma in Ly-rich GC.
Department of Pathology, Mito Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Ibaraki, Japan. hohtani@mito.hosp.go.jp
Haruo
H
Ohtani
Takashi
T
Nakayama
Osamu
O
Yoshie
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D054418:Chemokine CCL20 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006041:Goats; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D054399:Receptors, CCR6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C108355:CCL20 protein, human; C106311:CCR6 protein, human; D054418:Chemokine CCL20; D020381:Interleukin-17; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D054399:Receptors, CCR6