Pathobiology of the neutrophil-intestinal epithelial cell interaction: Role in carcinogenesis

Figure 1 Involvement of a neutrophil-rich microenvironment in the different steps of digestive carcinogenesis including initiation, promotion, progression and dissemination of tumor. BM: Basement membrane; TAM: Tumor-associated macrophages; CTCs: Circulating tumor cells.

Figure 2 Cross-talk between polymorphonuclear leukocytes and intestinal epithelial cells. Different steps and molecules involvement in polymorphonuclear leukocytes transepithelial migration. The microphotograph shows polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in an intestinal epithelium. TJM: Tight junction molecules; AJC: Apical junction complex; MLC: Myosin light chain kinase; JAM: Junctional adhesion molecules; TCF: Transcellular chemotactic factor; SIRP: Signal regulatory protein; IL: Interleukin.

Figure 3 Speculative role of tumor-associated neutrophils in progression of digestive carcinoma. The microphotograph shows neutrophils tightly associated with digestive carcinoma cells. TAN: Tumor-associated neutrophils; TGF: Transforming growth factor.

Figure 4 Speculative role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in digestive carcinoma dissemination. The microphotograph shows circulating tumor cells associated with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). CTC: Circulating tumor cells.