Interleukin 16- (IL-16-) Targeted Ultrasound Imaging Agent Improves Detection of Ovarian Tumors in Laying Hens, a Preclinical Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer

Figure 4

Immunohistochemical localization of IL-16 expressing cells in the ovaries of hens predicted to be normal or cancerous by IL-16-targeted contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging. Top Panel. (A) Section of a normal hen ovary showing few IL-16 expressing cells in the ovarian stroma (S) and the follicular (F) theca (T). (B)-(C) Sections of tumor ovaries at early (B) and late (C) stages of OVCA. Compared with normal ovary, many IL-16 expressing cells are seen in OVCA hens. S = stroma; arrows indicate the examples of IL-16 expressing cells. Bottom Panel. Compared with normal hens, the frequency of IL-16 expressing cells increased significantly () with tumor development and progression to late stages. Bars with different letters indicate significant differences in the frequencies of IL-16 expressing cells among hens with normal, early stage, and late stage OVCA.