α5 Integrin distribution and TGFβ1 gene expression in supraglottic carcinoma: Their role in neoplastic local invasion and metastasis

• Published in: Head & neck 2000-01, Vol.22 (1), p.48-56
• Main Authors: Vitolo, Domenico, Ciocci, Luciano, Ferrauti, Paola, Cicerone, Elena, Gallo, Andrea, De Vincentiis, Marco, Baroni, Carlo D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Medical sciences; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; supraglottic carcinoma; tenascin; TGFβ1; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0347(200001)22:1<48::AID-HED8>3.0.CO;2-L

Background Head and neck carcinomas are characterized by tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) producing cytokines. Adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs), and cytokines regulate cell–cell and cell–ECMPs interactions. We investigated the distribution of these proteins to contribute to better understanding of their role in local tumor invasion and metastasis. Methods Distribution of integrins, laminin, type IV collagen, tenascin, and fibronectin was immunohistochemically evaluated in 13 supraglottis carcinomas. Cytokines gene expression was assessed by reverse‐transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Results Neoplastic cells were α2β1, α3β1, α4β1, α5β1 and α6β1 positive. Normal and metaplastic epithelium was α5β1 negative; the stroma of primary and metastatic tumors was tenascin and fibronectin positive. TGFβ1 and IFNγ gene expression was observed in the majority of tumors. Conclusions Because TGFβ1 is known to down‐modulate immune processes and to increase α2β1, α5β1, and tenascin distribution, we propose that their expression in neoplastic cells of supraglottis carcinoma might represent an immune‐related process able to help tumor growth and progression. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 48–56, 2000.