Differential expression of cytokines and cytokine receptors in renal cell carcinoma

Modulation of immunomechanisms by tumor cells can be caused by secretion of cytokines. In vitro data are usually gained in culture systems, it is deba table whether these systems are representative of the conditions inside the respective tumor tissues. Immunohistochemical studies of tumor tissue cryo stats were compared with those in matched primary renal cell carcinoma tumo r cell cultures. Results were correlated with histopathological characteris tics and the in vitro cytotoxic effect of autologous tumor infiltrating lym phocytes (TILS). Expression of all studied cytokines and cytokine receptors could be shown in cryostats and cell cultures, but the detection pattern v aried individually, The immunohistochemical results in cryostats were in go od accordance with those in cell cultures. Expression of TGF beta1 both in cryostats and cell cultures significantly correlated with the tack of cytot oxic activity of autologous TILs. Representative data can be obtained in tu mor culture systems of primary renal cell carcinoma. TGF beta1 secretion co uld play an important role in the interactions between tumor and cytotoxic cells. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.