B7 molecule mRNA expression in colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: To observe the status of tumor-associated B7 molecule mRNA expression in human colorectal cancer tissue by in situ hybridization. Methods: The mRNA expression patterns of cancer-associated B7-1,B7H1, B7H2,ICOS in 22 specimens of human colorectal cancer tissue were monitored by in situ hybridization (ISH) with digoxin-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Results: B7-1,B7H1, B7H2,ICOS mRNA were detected in both cancer cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). The mRNA expression level of these molecules in tumor cells was higher than that in TIL (0.76±0.54-1.62±0.82 vs 0.38±0.19-0.65±0.33, P<0.001). There was no relationship between expression level of tested B7 family molecules and patients' sex, age, differentiation status of cancer and regional lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Th2 cytokine predominant in tumor microenvironment might be related to the expression of B7H1,B7H2 co-signal molecules in tumor cells and TIL. © 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.