The frequency of tumor-infiltrating Tie-2-expressing monocytes in renal cell carcinoma: its relationship to angiogenesis and progression.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the frequency of tumor-infiltrating Tie-2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its association with microvessel density (MVD) and other clinical-pathologic features.


METHODS
This study enrolled 65 consecutive patients with RCC treated with radical nephrectomy. The frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs, which was defined as CD14(+) Tie-2(+) cells, was assessed using flow cytometry. MVD was measured by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD34 antibody. The association between clinicopathologic parameters, MVD, and the frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs in RCC was assessed.


RESULTS
High frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs was significantly associated with advanced stage (P = .018), positive lymph nodes (P = .013), high grade (P = .019), and metastases (P = .006). Correlation analysis revealed that the frequency of TEMs was positively correlated with MVD.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings revealed a significant association between prognostic tumor features, MVD, and the frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs in RCC and indicated that TEMs may play an important role in angiogenesis and progression of RCC.
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.
Jindong
J
Ji
Guangbo
G
Zhang
Bo
B
Sun
Hexing
H
Yuan
Yuhua
Y
Huang
Jianglei
J
Zhang
Xuedong
X
Wei
Xuefeng
X
Zhang
Jianquan
J
Hou
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D042787:Receptor, TIE-2