Expression of YKL-40 by peritumoral macrophages in human small cell lung cancer

Nanna Junker, Julia S Johansen, Claus B Andersen, Paul E G Kristjansen

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113 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

YKL-40 is a 40 kDa protein with possible involvement in tissue remodeling, cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Elevated serum YKL-40 levels in patients with metastatic cancers (including small cell lung cancer (SCLC)) are associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify the cellular source of YKL-40 in SCLC patient biopsies and in a panel of 20 human SCLC lines cultured in vitro and in vivo in nude mice. In general, the SCLC cell lines had no or very limited (human) YKL-40 expression, whereas, by RT-PCR a pronounced murine (i.e., stromal) YKL-40 expression was present in all tumors. YKL-40 mRNA transcripts were detected by in situ hybridization in 9 of 10 biopsies from SCLC patients, and in each case the signal was localized in the peritumoral stroma in cells of typical macrophage morphology (confirmed by a CD68 macrophage specific stain). No YKL-40 mRNA expression was found in the cancer cells, in macrophages infiltrating the solid tumor areas, or in non-malignant tissue. In conclusion, the predominant source of elevated serum YKL-40 in SCLC is peritumoral macrophages.
Original languageEnglish
JournalLung Cancer
Volume48
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)223-31
Number of pages8
ISSN0169-5002
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Animals; Autoantigens; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Cell Proliferation; Gene Expression Profiling; Glycoproteins; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasms, Experimental; Tumor Cells, Cultured

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