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Published on: November 28, 2019
Tumor-associated macrophage expression in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas: relationship to Helicobacter pylori
Wenming Wang1,2, Yueyong Zhu1, Yunchao Zhu2
1Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Objective:
This study investigated the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the expression of CD163+ and CD86+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal adenoma (CRA) and colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues.
Methods:
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate the expression of CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs isolated from colorectal tissues, Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) co-staining was employed to identify CD68+CD163+ and CD68+CD86+ TAMs, and the 14C-urea breath test (UBT) was used to detect H.pylori infection.
Results:
The progression of colorectal lesions was significantly associated with increased expression of CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs, as well as H.pylori infection (all P < 0.05). The expression of CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs were positively correlated with each other and with the severity of colorectal lesions (all P < 0.001). Patients with H.pylori infection exhibited significantly higher expression of both TAM subsets compared with non-infected individuals (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that in colorectal adenomas measuring ≥ 1 cm, expression of CD163+ and CD86+ TAM was significantly greater than in adenomas <1 cm (P < 0.05), Expression of CD163+ TAM was notably higher in obese patients with CRC. Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) quantification revealed significantly increased densities of both CD68+CD86+ and CD68+CD163+ TAMs, and a higher CD68+CD163+/CD68+CD86+ ratio in colorectal cancer (CRC) (all P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The expression of CD68+CD163+ and CD68+CD86+ TAMs change dynamically with the progression of colorectal lesions. These changes are influenced by H.pylori infection, adenoma size, tumor differentiation, and patient metabolic status.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to increased CD163+ and CD86+ tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal lesions. These macrophages are associated with lesion progression and CRC development, influenced by H. pylori.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression.
- CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs are key subsets involved in tumor microenvironment modulation.
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a known risk factor for gastric cancer and may influence colorectal neoplasia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between H. pylori infection and the expression of CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs in colorectal adenoma (CRA) and CRC.
- To analyze how H. pylori infection and other factors influence TAM expression during colorectal lesion progression.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) were used to quantify CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs in colorectal tissues.
- The 14C-urea breath test (UBT) was employed to detect H. pylori infection.
- Statistical analyses, including multiple linear regression, were performed to assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Colorectal lesion progression was significantly associated with increased CD163+ and CD86+ TAMs, and H. pylori infection (P < 0.05).
- H. pylori-infected patients showed significantly higher TAM expression compared to non-infected individuals (P < 0.05).
- TAM expression correlated positively with lesion severity, adenoma size (≥ 1 cm), and CRC in obese patients.
Conclusions:
- CD163+ and CD86+ TAM expression dynamically changes with colorectal lesion progression.
- H. pylori infection, adenoma size, tumor differentiation, and patient metabolic status significantly influence TAM expression in colorectal neoplasia.
