Quantification and in situ localization of MCP-1 mRNA and its relation to the immune response of renal cell carcinoma

Malignant rumours are usually accompanied by an immune response. Chemokines such as MCP-1 have been claimed to be potent inducers of such tumour-assoc iated reactions. In the present study MCP-1 mRNA was quantified by competit ive reverse transcription polymerase reaction and localised by in situ hybr idisation in renal cell carcinoma tissue in comparison to tumour-free tissu e of the same nephrectomy specimen. MCP-1 mRNA levels were correlated with the immune cell infiltrate, the density of CD31(+) microvessels, and the en dothelial expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-, and P-selectin. In only seven o f 19 cases, MCP-1 mRNA levels in carcinoma tissue were increased in compari son to tumour-free tissue. Within tumour tissue, mRNA transcripts could be localised in tumour cells, microvessel endothelia, and in tumour-associated macrophages, A correlation between MCP-1 mRNA levels and the density of im mune cells, especially macrophages, the microvessel density, and the expres sion of adhesion molecules could not be observed. Therefore, MCP-1 seems to be of minor importance for the induction of an immune response in renal ce ll carcinomas regarding at least the parameters analysed in this study. (C) 2001 Academic Press.