Loss of monomorphic and polymorphic HLA antigens in metastatic breast and colon carcinoma.
MHC class I antigens are intimately involved in intercellular communication, and recognition by cytotoxic T cells. Thus tumour cells that fail to express them may be at a growth or metastatic advantage. A series of ten colorectal and ten breast carcinomas, and their respective lymph node metastases, were examined immunohistologically using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against both monomorphic and A2 polymorphic determinants, and beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2m). Four colon polypoid adenomas stained positively throughout, but 6/10 primary tumours had partial or complete loss of expression of monomorphic determinants using mAb W6/32: two node and the liver metastasis showed less, four more expression. Similar results were seen for beta 2m. HLA-A2 expression was absent or reduced in 4/4 colon tumours and all their metastases. Among the breast tumours, W6/32 staining was absent or reduced in 2/10, and node deposits showed two with less reactivity than their primary. Beta 2m staining was reduced or absent in 8/10 primaries and all the node metastases; in every case in which beta 2m was detected in the primary tumour their corresponding lymph node metastasis showed a decreased expression. HLA-A2 expression was absent or reduced in 3/4 primary breast carcinomas, and all their metastases. These results show that individual human colon and breast carcinomas often have a reduced HLA class I antigen expression, which apparently confers a metastatic advantage.
Goepel
J R
JR
Department of Pathology, University of Sheffield Medical School.
Rees
R C
RC
Rogers
K
K
Stoddard
C J
CJ
Thomas
W E
WE
Shepherd
L
L
D000236:Adenoma / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I