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Macrophages and apoptotic cells in human colorectal tumours
C A Higgins1, W J Hatton, G McKerr
1Cancer and Ageing Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Abstract:
The numerical relationship between tumour associated macrophages (TAM) and apoptotic cells in 12 human colorectal tumours was evaluated. TAM were labelled immunohistochemically and apoptotic cells were visualized by counterstaining with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The stereological techniques, Cavalieri's estimator of volume and the Disector were used to estimate both tumour volume and numerical density of both cell types. The occurrence of TAM per unit volume of tissue increased with increasing tumour volume to a maximum in a tumour of 110.5 cm3, after which numbers declined. Levels of apoptosis also increased with tumour volume though more erratically than levels of TAM and declined for tumour volumes greater than 80 cm3. This is the first report of an attempt to assess the relationship between apoptotic cells and TAM in human tumours.
Insights
Tumour associated macrophages (TAM) and apoptotic cells in colorectal cancer increase with tumour size, but TAM numbers peak later than apoptosis. This study quantizes their relationship in human tumours.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Tumour associated macrophages (TAM) are key immune cells in the tumour microenvironment.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical factor in tumour growth and response to therapy.
- The interplay between TAM and apoptotic cells in human colorectal tumours remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess the numerical relationship between TAM and apoptotic cells in human colorectal tumours.
- To investigate how the numbers of TAM and apoptotic cells change with increasing tumour volume.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to label TAM.
- Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) counterstaining visualized apoptotic cells.
- Stereological techniques, including Cavalieri's estimator of volume and the Disector, were employed to estimate tumour volume and cell numerical densities.
Main Results:
- The numerical density of TAM per unit tissue volume increased with tumour volume, reaching a maximum at 110.5 cm³, after which it declined.
- Apoptotic cell levels also increased with tumour volume, but more erratically than TAM, declining after 80 cm³.
- This study provides the first quantitative assessment of the relationship between apoptotic cells and TAM in human colorectal tumours.
Conclusions:
- TAM and apoptotic cell numbers exhibit distinct, volume-dependent patterns in colorectal tumours.
- Understanding this relationship may offer insights into tumour progression and immune evasion strategies.
- Further research is warranted to explore the functional implications of these findings in colorectal cancer.