IL6 Shapes an Inflammatory Microenvironment and Triggers the Development of Unique Types of Cancer in End-stage Kidney.

Abstract

Chronic inflammation in end-stage kidney is associated with the development of pre-neoplastic lesions and renal cell tumors. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of the inflammatory microenvironment in this process. We used representative microscopic slides from 11 end stage-kidneys containing pre-neoplastic lesions and tumors and applied immunohistochemistry to detect IL-6, SAA1 and LBP expression. We also applied array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis to detect genomic changes in tumor cells. We identified strong expression of IL6, LBP and SAA1 in activated stromal fibroblasts, in proliferating epithelial and tumor cells. Array CGH detected unusual genomic changes in tumor cells. Our data indicate that expression of IL6, acute phase protein SAA1 and LBP maintain a long-lasting inflammatory microenvironment that leads to remodeling of end-stage kidneys and the development of unique types of renal cell tumors.