Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression by Vascular Endothelial Cells as an Immune/Inflammatory Reaction in Human Colon Carcinoma

• Published in: Cancer science Vol. 86; no. 6; pp. 585 - 593
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Yukimasa, Ohtani, Haruo, Mizoi, Takayuki, Takeha, Satoshi, Shiiba, Ken'ichi, Matsuno, Seiki, Nagura, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.1995; Japanese Cancer Association; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood vessels; Cell Adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell adhesion molecule; Cell adhesion molecules; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Colon; Colon cancer; Colonic Neoplasms - blood supply; Colonic Neoplasms - metabolism; Digestive system; E-Selectin; Endothelial cells; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - pathology; Granulocytes - pathology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infiltration; Inflammation; Inflammation - pathology; Inflammatory infiltrate; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; Invasiveness; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leukocytes (granulocytic); Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - pathology; Macrophages; Macrophages - pathology; Medical sciences; Metastases; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; P-Selectin; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Selectin; Selectins; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Endothelial cell; Carcinoma; Immune response; Cell adhesion molecule; Exploration; Inflammation; Malignant tumor; Colonic disease; Pathology; Blood vessel; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Colon
• ISSN: 0910-5050; 1347-9032; 1349-7006; 1876-4673
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1995.tb02438.x

The cell adhesion of inflammatory cells to vascular endothelial cells is an important process in the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site. In cancer tissue, infiltration of inflammatory cells has been suggested to be a mechanism of host resistance. To clarify this infiltration mechanism, we investigated cell adhesion molecule expression (E‐selectin, P‐selectin, and ICAM‐1) in vascular endothelial cells by immunohistochemistry in colon carcinoma. Venules distributed along the invasive margin expressed E‐ and P‐selectins and ICAM‐1. These phenotypical features are identical to those of endothelial cells observed in active inflammatory lesions, and the vessels can, therefore, be designated as immunologically activated vessels. Nevertheless, the majority of blood vessels within the tumor lacked immunoreactivity for all these adhesion molecules and, therefore, could be designated as immunologically inactive vessels. Granulocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages, bearing the counter‐receptors of these adhesion molecules, were more densely distributed along the invasive margin. In contrast, few inflammatory cells were present within the tumor. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated the phenotypical heterogeneity of tumor vessels; those for inflammatory cell infiltration to the tumor and those for the nutrient supply to the tumor.