title: The expression of Toll-like receptors 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 in Merkel cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to clarify whether the expression of toll-like receptors (TLR) in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is linked to tumor and patient characteristics, especially the presence of Merkel cell polyoma virus (MCV).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised of 128 patients with data on Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) status and clinical features were included in the study. Immunohistochemistry for TLR expression was performed on tissue microarray (TMA) slides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TLR 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 expression was noted in most of the tumor specimens. Decreased expression of TLR 9 correlated strongly with MCV positivity. Cytoplasmic TLR 2 expression correlated with small tumor size, while nuclear TLR 2 and TLR 5 expressions with larger tumors. Increased nuclear TLR 4 expression and decreased TLR 7 expression were associated with older age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TLR 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 appear to reflect certain clinicopathological variables and prognostic markers of MCC tumors.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Lauri
authors: L
authors: Jouhi
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland virve.koljonen@hus.fi.
authors: Virve
authors: V
authors: Koljonen
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Böhling
authors: Department of Intestinal Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Caj
authors: C
authors: Haglund
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Department of Oral Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Jaana
authors: J
authors: Hagström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051198:Toll-Like Receptor 5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; C495346:TLR5 protein, human; C495348:TLR7 protein, human; C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051198:Toll-Like Receptor 5; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9
keywords: Merkel cell carcinoma; Merkel cell polyoma virus; infection; prognosis