Correlation of Expression of Tenascin C and Blood Vessel Density in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers

Non-small cell lung cancers are cancer diseases that rank second in terms of incidence and first in terms of mortality, worldwide. Stromal cells of these cancers express tenascin C (TNC) - hexameric glycoprotein, which is also expressed during foetal life. TNC is also observed in stromal cells of most human cancers. In some cancers, TNC was shown to influence proliferation and migration of cancer cells and angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to analyze the correlation of expression of TNC with the markers of vascular endothelial cells, CD31 and CD34, and clinicopathological data in NSCLC.

Archival paraffin blocks from 101 cases of NSCLC were used for the studies. Immunohistochemical reactions were carried out on paraffin sections using mouse monoclonal antibodies anti-TNC, anti-CD31 and anti-CD34, with the use of Autosteiner Link-48.

Statistical analysis of the results showed positive correlation between TNC expression and CD31(+) and CD34(+) microvessel density (MVD) (r=0.456, p<0.0001; r=0.296, p<0.01, respectively).

Based on the obtained results it can be concluded, that TNC may be involved in angiogenesis in NSCLC.