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Cell surface expression and serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in renal cell carcinoma
R Heicappell1, J Podlinski, H Buszello
1Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Steglitz der Freien Universität, Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is expressed in normal kidneys and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors. Higher serum ICAM-1 levels correlate with advanced RCC and poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in immune cell adhesion and recognition.
- ICAM-1 is expressed on various normal cells and human tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- RCC is a tumor type that shows some response to immunotherapy, but outcomes are often limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of ICAM-1 in normal kidneys, RCC tumors, and RCC metastases.
- To compare cell-bound ICAM-1 expression with serum levels of ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in RCC patients.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze ICAM-1 expression in tissue samples.
- Serum levels of ICAM-1 were measured in RCC patients and compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Strong glomerular ICAM-1 expression was found in normal kidneys; proximal tubuli showed weak staining.
- Eighty percent of RCC tumors stained positive for ICAM-1, with generally weaker staining in metastases.
- Patients with advanced RCC or metastases had higher sICAM-1 levels than those with less advanced disease.
Conclusions:
- ICAM-1 is expressed in both normal kidney tissue and RCC.
- Tumor-associated ICAM-1 expression may differ between primary tumors and metastases.
- Elevated sICAM-1 levels are associated with unfavorable prognosis in RCC patients.
Abstract:
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is the natural ligand of the T-lymphocyte adhesion molecule LFA-1 (lymphocyte-function-associated antigen-1). ICAM-1 is involved in target cell recognition by T-lymphocytes, LAK cells and natural killer cells. The molecule has also been detected on a variety of normal cells and on human tumors. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the few tumors that respond to immunotherapy, but clinical results are generally disappointing. We therefore analyzed, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of ICAM-1 in pairs of normal kidneys, RCC, and RCC metastases. Moreover, serum ICAM-1 was determined in RCC patients and compared with surface expression of cell-bound ICAM-1. Strong glomerular expression of ICAM-1 was observed in all specimens of normal kidney examined. Proximal tubuli were weakly stained in the majority of specimens. Of the tumors, 80% stained positive for ICAM-1. Although ICAM-1 was detected on the majority of extrarenal tumor specimens examined, staining was generally weaker in the metastases. Patients without metastases at initial presentation more frequently expressed ICAM-1 in their primary tumors than did patients with metastases. Levels of serum ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) were significantly higher in RCC patients than in controls with non-malignant renal diseases. Patients with an unfavorable prognosis, e.g. with advanced tumor stage or metastasis at initial presentation, had higher levels of sICAM-1 than patients with low-grade and/or low-stage tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)