Overexpression of interleukin-l7 in tumor-associated macrophages is correlated with the differentiation and angiogenesis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin-l7 (IL-17), which exerts strong pro-inflammatory effects, has emerged as an important mediator in inflammation-associated cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between IL-17 and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), and the correlation of the microvessel density in the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).


METHODS
Histopathological observations and immunohistochemistry staining for IL-17, CD68, and CD34 were performed on 72 specimens (32 cases of LSCC, 20 cases of adjacent tissues of carcinoma as controls, and 20 cases of chronic hypertrophic laryngitis). Double immunohistochemical staining was done to determine which cells expressed IL-17. Real-time quantitative PCR determined the mRNA expression of IL-17. ELISA was used to detect the expression of the serum level of IL-17 in the three groups.


RESULTS
The inflammation response had increased in LSCC. Overexpression of IL-17 and CD68 protein were seen in LSCC (P < 0.01). The expression of IL-17 was different between well and poorly differentiated LSCC (P < 0.01). The IL-17 expressing cells were mainly located in macrophages (CD68(+)/IL17(+)) as demonstrated by double immunohistochemical staining. IL-17 expression significantly correlated with high microvessel density (CD34(+)) in LSCC (P < 0.05). Relatively higher mRNA expression levels of IL-17 were seen in LSCC compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The serum expression of IL-17 was similar among the three groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-17 was expressed by TAMs, and IL-17 may significantly correlate to the differentiation and angiogenesis in the development of LSCC.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, China.
Cui-da
CD
Meng
Dong-Dong
DD
Zhu
Xiao-Dan
XD
Jiang
Lin
L
Li
Ji-Chao
JC
Sha
Zhen
Z
Dong
Hong
H
Kong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
D020381:Interleukin-17