Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Fig. 1.
The ISGF3 proteins are expressed in adjacent nonmalignant epithelium and are suppressed in cutaneous SCC tumors. A and B, thin sections (4 μm) of paraffin-embedded tumor biopsy specimens were stained immunohistochemically withantibodies for the indicated proteins. A, Adj. Skin indicates nonmalignant epithelium found adjacent to tumor tissue. B, SCC indicates SCC tumor tissue from the same slide as the normal tissue. A′ and B′, sections were probed as described in A and B, except that a 10:1 (w:w) ratio of immunizing peptide:antibody was used in the primary antibody incubation step.
- Fig. 2.
A, STAT3α and STAT3β proteins are expressed and activated in adjacent nonmalignant epithelium and are suppressed in cutaneous SCC tumors. Paraffin sections of tumor biopsy specimens were stained immunohistochemically as described in the Fig. 1<$REFLINK> legend with antibodies specific for the STAT3α and STAT3β isoforms of STAT3. Note the more intense staining for STAT3α and STAT3β in the basal layer of the epidermis (left columns). b, basal layer; K, keratinized center. B, ISGF3 and STAT3α/β proteins are suppressed in metastases as compared with overlying skin. Paraffin sections containing SCC metastases and overlying nonmalignant skin were stained immunohistochemically with the indicated antibodies. Similar locations within serial sections of the same tumor biopsy are shown.
- Fig. 3.
Densitometric quantitation of antibody staining. Slide images were captured and quantitation was performed as described in “Materials and Methods.” A and B each represent a set of slides probed with antibodies for the indicated proteins (below C) for two different biopsy specimens. C, STAT1, STAT2, and p48 columns are for a different biopsy specimen than the STAT3α and STAT3β columns. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Student’s t test. P < 0.05 for all comparisons between AS and tumor samples, except for the indicated pairs: ∗, P = 0.065; ∗∗, P = 0.187; and ∗∗∗, P = 0.180.
Tables
- Table 1
Comparison of expression levels of IFNα/β signaling proteins in SCC and nonmalignant AS
The relative expression levels the ISGF3 proteins (STAT1α/β, STAT2, and p48), STAT3α, and STAT3β were scored visually on a scale of 1–4. Samples having a higher score in nonmalignant AS than in tumor (AS > T), equal scores in both (AS = T), or lower scores in AS than in tumor (AS < T) are indicated. Comparisons between AS and tumor tissue were made for contiguous tissues on the same slide and include samples of either primary SCC and AS (14 specimens from 11 patients) or metastases and overlying AS (2 specimens from 2 patients). Note that for patients 2, 3, and 9, two sections from different paraffin-embedded samples of the same tumor were stained. Due to variations in tumor biopsy sizes, the number of available sections was limited; therefore, it was not possible to probe all samples with each antibody. ND, not determined.
Patient no. Tumor type Sample STAT1α/β STAT2 p48 STAT3α STAT3β 1 Primary SCC A AS = T AS > T AS > T AS > T AS = T 2 ” ” A AS > T ND ND AS > T AS > T ” ” B AS < T AS < T AS > T AS = T AS > T 3 ” ” A AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T ” ” B AS > T AS = T AS > T AS > T AS = T 4 ” ” A AS = T AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T 5 ” ” A AS = T AS = T AS = T ND ND 6 ” ” A AS = T AS = T AS = T ND ND 7 ” ” A AS > T AS > T AS > T ND ND 8 ” ” A AS > T AS > T AS = T AS > T AS = T 9 ” ” A AS > T AS > T AS > T ND ND ” ” B AS > T AS = T AS > T AS > T AS > T 10 ” ” A AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T 11 ” ” A AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T AS = T 12 Metastasis A AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T AS > T 9 Metastasis A AS > T AS > T AS > T AS = T AS > T
Volume 9, Issue 9
