Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours

  • Authors:
    • Clelia Miracco
    • Maria Caterina De Nisi
    • Felice Arcuri
    • Elena Cosci
    • Lorenzo Pacenti
    • Marzia Toscano
    • Anna Vittoria Lalinga
    • Maurizio Biagioli
    • Pietro Rubegni
    • Rosella Vatti
    • Emilia Maellaro
    • Barbara Del Bello
    • Daniela Massi
    • Pietro Luzi
    • Piero Tosi
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 1, 2006     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.28.2.345
  • Pages: 345-352
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Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a widely expressed cytokine involved in various biological processes. Although MIF's functions in cancer have not been completely elucidated, its expression has usually been correlated with tumour progression and aggressiveness, and it is currently discussed as a new promising target for novel therapies. Recent studies seem to confirm its active role in melanoma pathobiology; however, its expression has not yet been extensively studied in melanocytic tumours. We evaluated MIF protein expression in 126 skin lesions, including benign and atypical nevi, melanoma and melanoma metastases. In 55 cases, we also assessed MIF mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR. Benign nevi were subdivided into nevocytic and Spitz/blue types; and melanomas into the radial, and vertical growth phase. A strong cytoplasmic MIF positivity was found in most samples, although it was more heterogeneous in malignant tumours; MIF nuclear expression characterized Spitz/blue nevi, atypical nevi, melanomas and metastases. All samples expressed MIF mRNA but it was significantly lower in benign nevi vs atypical nevi, melanomas and metastases (p=0.001; p<0.0001; p=0.002, respectively). Our study shows a widespread distribution of MIF among melanocytic tumours. Whereas we observed a trend towards higher expression levels of mRNA in atypical and malignant tumours, MIF protein was highly expressed in all lesions, although limited to the cytoplasm in most benign nevi. These observations suggest differences in MIF protein storage, subcellular location and properties in most benign nevi vs atypical and malignant tumours that should be confirmed by further investigation and correlation with clinical outcome.

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February 2006
Volume 28 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Miracco C, De Nisi MC, Arcuri F, Cosci E, Pacenti L, Toscano M, Lalinga AV, Biagioli M, Rubegni P, Vatti R, Vatti R, et al: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours. Int J Oncol 28: 345-352, 2006
APA
Miracco, C., De Nisi, M.C., Arcuri, F., Cosci, E., Pacenti, L., Toscano, M. ... Tosi, P. (2006). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours. International Journal of Oncology, 28, 345-352. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.28.2.345
MLA
Miracco, C., De Nisi, M. C., Arcuri, F., Cosci, E., Pacenti, L., Toscano, M., Lalinga, A. V., Biagioli, M., Rubegni, P., Vatti, R., Maellaro, E., Del Bello, B., Massi, D., Luzi, P., Tosi, P."Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours". International Journal of Oncology 28.2 (2006): 345-352.
Chicago
Miracco, C., De Nisi, M. C., Arcuri, F., Cosci, E., Pacenti, L., Toscano, M., Lalinga, A. V., Biagioli, M., Rubegni, P., Vatti, R., Maellaro, E., Del Bello, B., Massi, D., Luzi, P., Tosi, P."Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours". International Journal of Oncology 28, no. 2 (2006): 345-352. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.28.2.345