Expression of transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor and tumor-associated macrophages in lung cancers

Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor-beta type Ⅱ receptor (TGF-βRⅡ) and the amount of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma and their correlation.Methods The expression of TGF-βR Ⅱ and TAMs was detected by immunohistochemistry in lung adenocarcinoma group,lung squamous cell carci-noma group and control group.Results (1) As compared with the control group,the expression of TGF-βR Ⅱ was decreased in lung adenocarcinoma group and squamous cell carcinoma group (P ＜ 0.01),and it was correlated with histological type,lymphnode metastasis and clinical stage (P ＜ 0.05) ; (2) As compared with the control group,the number of TAMs was increased in tumor groups (P ＜ 0.01) and it was correlated with histological type,tumor size,lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Low expression of TGF-βR Ⅱ may be related with the tumorigenesis of lung and carcinomatous growth,invasion and metastasis.This effect may be more significant in lung adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma.down-regulating the expression of TGF-βR Ⅱ attracted TAMs into tumor stroma.There is a more general significance of the effect in non-small cell lung cancer. Key words: Lung cancer; Transforming growth factor-beta type Ⅱ receptor; Tumor-associated macrophages