Selective and non-selective loss of immunoregulatory molecules (HLA-A,B,C antigens and LFA-3) in transitional cell carcinoma.
The expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II antigens and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) was investigated using immunohistochemical staining of bladder tissue sections from 18 patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and two normal bladder specimens. The expressions of HLA-A,B,C antigens varied greatly between different tumours. Complete loss was observed in one of 18 cases. Moderate to strong expression of HLA-A,B,C antigens was observed in 10 of 18 cases with the remaining seven cases showing either weak expression or expression on only a proportion of the tumour cells. Selective loss of HLA-Bw6 was seen in one of 18 cases. In many cases heterogenous and often focal expression of HLA-D products was seen. In one case tumour cells not expressing HLA-DR antigens were adjacent to strongly HLA-DR expressing non-neoplastic bladder epithelium, indicating a lack of inducible HLA-DR in the tumour cells. LFA-3 was undetectable in two of 18 cases with the remaining 16 cases showing moderate to strong expression of the molecule. These findings indicate that a substantial proportion of bladder tumours have one or more of a wide range of different alterations in the expressions of immunoregulatory molecules that could contribute to escape from immune surveillance.
Medical Oncology, London Hospital, Whitechapel, UK.
A M
AM
Nouri
M E
ME
Smith
D
D
Crosby
R T
RT
Oliver
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins