Abstract
The expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and its two distinct receptors, TNF-R p55 and TNF-R p75, was assessed by immunocytochemistry in 28 primary breast cancer and three reduction mammoplasty specimens ('normal' breast tissue). Expression of TNF-alpha or TNF-R p75 was not detectable in normal breast tissue or in non-malignant breast tissue adjacent to the tumours. By contrast, TNF-R p55 was expressed by occasional stromal cells in normal tissue. TNF-alpha was expressed focally in 50% of the tumours studied, being largely localised to macrophage-like cells in the stroma. TNF-R p55 was expressed by a population of stromal cells in all the tumours examined, and a varying proportion of neoplastic cells in 75% of these tissues. TNF-R p75 was detected in about 70% of the tumours, immunoreactivity being confined mainly to cells in the stroma. In this preliminary study there was no association between the above cytokine parameters and such measures of tumour biology as lymph node status, tumour grade, proliferative activity or degree of angiogenesis. However, there was a correlation between the expression of TNF-R p55 by blood vessels and the number of leucocytes present.
Highlights
S_y The expron of tumour nerosis factor a (TNF-a) and its two distiwt receptors, TNF-R p55 and TNF-R p75, was asessed by immunocytochemistry in 28 pnmary brast cancer and three reducton mammopla spemens ('normal' breast tissue)
Lymphocytes and macrophages represent a potential source of the cytokine TNF-x within the tumour microenvironment
Cryostat sections were prencubated with normal rabbit serum, with the primary monoclonal antibodies diluted in Tris-buffered saline/10% normal human serum (TBS/NHS) for 30 min
Summary
S_y The expron of tumour nerosis factor a (TNF-a) and its two distiwt receptors, TNF-R p55 and TNF-R p75, was asessed by immunocytochemistry in 28 pnmary brast cancer and three reducton mammopla spemens ('normal' breast tissue). Lymphocytes and macrophages represent a potential source of the cytokine TNF-x within the tumour microenvironment. Lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+ cells) isolated from breast cancer biopsies secrete TNF-x in vitro (Rubbert et at., 1991), and the in situ production of TNF-z mRNA by cells in malignant breast tumours has recently been demonstrated (Miles et al, 1992).
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