T-LYMPHOCYTES THAT INFILTRATE TUMORS AND ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUES PRODUCE HEPARIN-BINDING EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR AND BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR - A POTENTIAL PATHOLOGICAL ROLE

Despite significant infiltration into tumors and atherosclerotic plaques, the role of T lymphocytes in these pathological conditions is still unclear, We have demonstrated that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and plaque-infiltrating lymphocytes (PILs) produce heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in vitro under nonspecific conditions and in vivo in tumors by immunohistochemical staining, HB-EGF and bFGF derived from TILs and PILs directly stimulated tumor cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vitro, respectively, while bFGF displayed angiogenic properties. Therefore, T cells may play a critical role in the SMC hyperplasia of atherosclerosis and support tumor progression by direct stimulation and angiogenesis.