Tissue expression of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α) in B-cell lymphomas in children

Abstract

In most malignant tumours disturbed production of cytokines and of their receptors can be noted. The main immune system cells engaged in tumour regression with the involvement of cytokines include helper lymphocytes (Th1), cytotoxic lymphocytes (Tc) and dendritic cells. It has been noted that cytokines are also produced by the cells of a tumour. The present study aimed at immunocytochemical localisation of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α) in B-cell lymphomas in children (n = 10). The studies were performed on surgical material following formalin fixation and embedding in paraffin. The control material involved human reactive lymph nodes (n = 5). IL-2, IL-6, IL-12 were detected in 4/10 examined cases. Expression of IL-1α was highly pronounced, as in the control, and was detected in 6/9 examined patients. No TNF-α could be demonstrated in tumours even if lymph node expression of the cytokine was demonstrated in the control. The studies pointed to a decreased production of antitumour cytokines in B-cell lymphomas in children, which might correspond to the progression of the tumour.