Effects of anxiety phenotype on chemokine and cytokine gene expression in tumors.

<p>Gene expression in tumors was measured by quantitative PCR at week 31 in low- (white bars) and high- (black bars) anxiety mice. mRNA levels of chemokines and cytokines known to be protective (CTACK, IL-12, and IFN-γ) or harmful (IL-4 and IL-10) in the context of SCC were quantified. Since overall biological function is ultimately influenced by relative proportions of counteracting factors, we also examined the effects of anxiety phenotype on the ratios of protective versus harmful factors: CTACK/CCL22 and (IL-12+IFN-γ)/(IL-10 + IL-4). Levels of mRNA expression normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA are shown. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Statistical trends (* <i>p</i> < 0.09) and significant differences (** <i>p</i> < 0.05) are indicated. Outcomes were optimally Box-Cox transformed prior to analysis. For each outcome, means were compared between groups using a two-sample <i>t</i>-test with Satterthwaite adjustment for unequal variances.