RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The increase of circulating B7-H4-expressing CD68+ macrophage correlated with clinical stage of lung carcinomas JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P4178 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Jian An Huang A1 Cheng Chen A1 Yibei Zhu A1 Xueguang Zhang YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4178.abstract AB Purpose To investigate the B7-H4-expressing TAM in a series of 56 cases of lung carcinoma.Methods Tissue samples were obtained from patients with lung cancer, who underwent lobectomy surgery. B7-H4-expressing TAM was observed by confocal microscopy. B7-H4-expressing macrophage (CD68+ cells) in peripheral blood was compared among patients with lung cancer, patients with tuberculosis and healthy donors by two-color flow cytometry. Correlation of B7-H4-expressing CD68+ macrophage with histological types, tumor size and lymph node metastasis was analyzed.Results Lung cancer are infiltrated with Tumor-associated macrophages (CD68+ cells) that expressed B7-H4.The circulating B7-H4-expressing CD68+ cell were higher in the lung cancer group than in the tuberculosis group. The number of B7-H4-expressing CD68+ cells was significantly correlated with the lymph node metastasis, and the tumor size. The proportion of B7-H4 positive CD68+ cells among CD68+ cells was also greater in late stage lung cancer than in serous early stage lung cancer. The intensity of B7-H4 staining was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, and the tumor size. Expression of B7-H4 was significantly higher in CD68+ cells from the late stage lung cancer (stage III-IV, n=36) as compared with the CD68+ cells from early stage lung cancer (stage I-II, n=20).Conclusion It is suggested that lung carcinomas increase B7-H4-expressing macrophages, which might favor tumor progression.