Mast Cells in Basal Cell Carcinoma Express VEGF, IL-8 and RANTES

• Published in: International archives of allergy and immunology Vol. 130; no. 3; pp. 216 - 223
• Main Authors: Aoki, Mikako, Pawankar, Ruby, Niimi, Yayoi, Kawana, Seiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.03.2003; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - blood supply; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - pathology; Chemokine CCL5 - genetics; Chemokine CCL5 - metabolism; Dermatology; Endothelial Growth Factors - metabolism; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Interleukin-8 - genetics; Interleukin-8 - metabolism; Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Lymphocyte Subsets - pathology; Lymphokines - metabolism; Male; Mast Cells - immunology; Mast Cells - pathology; Medical sciences; Microcirculation - pathology; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Original Paper; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA, Neoplasm - genetics; RNA, Neoplasm - metabolism; Skin Neoplasms - blood supply; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - immunology; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; Chemokine; Mast cell; Basal cell carcinoma; IL-8; RANTES; VEGF; Human; Skin disease; Cytokine; Malignant tumor; Angiogenesis; Vascular endothelium growth factor; Infiltration; Lymphocyte; Interleukin 8
• ISSN: 1018-2438; 1423-0097
• DOI: 10.1159/000069515

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the skin. Although an increase in mast cell infiltration was observed in BCC lesions, definite evidence of an active role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of BCC is still lacking. BCC is accompanied by cellular infiltrates. Moreover, the stroma in the BCC lesions is characterized by an increased number of mast cells and increased vascularity. The aim of this study was to elucidate the probable role of mast cells in BCC, especially focusing on the relationship between mast cells and lymphocytic infiltration as well as angiogenesis. Methods: We examined the expression and distribution of VEGF, IL-8 and RANTES in 16 nodular BCC lesions by immunohistochemistry. We also examined the lymphocyte subset, and the correlation between VEGF expression and microvessel density in the BCC lesion. mRNA expression of IL-8 and RANTES was examined by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results: T cells, especially CD4+/CD45RO+ memory T cells were the predominant infiltrating lymphocyte population in BCC lesions. An increased number of tryptase+ cells (mast cells) was found in the stroma. VEGF+/IL-8+/RANTES+ cells were also found abundantly in the stroma of all BCC lesions. The number of VEGF+, IL-8+ and RANTES+ cells was significantly higher than that in controls. By immunohistochemistry of serial sections, tryptase+ cells were found to express VEGF, IL-8 or RANTES. Messenger RNA expression of IL-8 and RANTES was also observed in the BCC lesions. Conclusion: This study suggests that mast cells may play an active role in the angiogenesis of BCC through the production of VEGF and IL-8. Furthermore, mast cells may also regulate lymphocytic infiltration through the production of IL-8 and RANTES.