Expression of MHC class II antigens in human lung cancer cells.
Surgical specimens of lung cancers were examined immunopathologically for the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) antigens in the tumor cells and their relationship to the lymphocytic infiltration. A lymphocytic infiltrate was frequently observed in the tumor tissue, though its intensity differed among the various histological types. MHC-II antigens were often demonstrated in tumors with a lymphocytic infiltrate. They were detected predominantly in the cytoplasm of tumor cells and to a lesser extent on the cell membranes. The emergence of the MHC-II-positive tumor cells was closely related to a local infiltration by lymphocytes including interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing T-cells. On the basis of the histological findings, an in vitro experiment was carried out. Four types of lung cancer cells were incubated with recombinant IFN-gamma in order to induce MHC-II antigens. MHC-II antigens (HLA-DR as well as HLA-DQ and HLA-DP antigens) were elicited in three cancer cell lines depending on the concentration of IFN-gamma. Immunoelectron microscopic study revealed that they were expressed on the surface of the cell membrane, though to a lesser extent than in the cytoplasm. It was considered that MHC-II antigens could be induced in some tumor cells in the immunological environment where IFN-gamma was secreted from T-cells and concentrated locally.
Department of Pathology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
H
H
Kamma
T
T
Yazawa
T
T
Ogata
H
H
Horiguchi
T
T
Iijima
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma