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Elastase expression by infiltrating neutrophils in gliomas
K Iwatsuki1, E Kumara, T Yoshimine
1Department of Neurosurgery, Ibaraki Iseikai Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
Neurological Research
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase aids glioma infiltration. This enzyme, released by neutrophils, was found in infiltrating tumor margins of high-grade astrocytomas, but not in tumor cores.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Enzymology
- Immunology
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase (PMN elastase) is a protease released by activated neutrophils.
- While crucial for host defense, PMN elastase can also damage host tissue and promote tumor cell invasion.
- Its role in glioma progression is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and localization of PMN elastase in gliomas of varying malignancy.
- To determine the correlation between PMN elastase expression and glioma grade.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on surgical specimens from the tumor core and infiltrating margin of 12 astrocytoma patients.
- Specimens represented varying degrees of malignancy, including glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, and low-grade astrocytoma.
Main Results:
- PMN elastase was not detected in the tumor core of any astrocytoma cases.
- Elastase was present in the infiltrating margins of glioblastoma (4/4) and anaplastic astrocytoma (3/4) cases.
- Low-grade astrocytomas (0/4) did not show elastase expression in the infiltrating margin.
- A higher percentage of elastase-positive neutrophils correlated with higher tumor malignancy.
Conclusions:
- PMN elastase is specifically localized to the invasive margin of malignant gliomas.
- Neutrophils are recruited to malignant gliomas, and the released elastase contributes to tumor cell infiltration.
- PMN elastase may represent a therapeutic target for inhibiting glioma invasion.