title: Langerhans cell and HLA class II molecules distribution in lung carcinoma.
abstract: We have evaluated Langerhans cell (LC) distribution in 19 lung carcinomas and 1 carcinoid tumor, furthermore investigating HLA class II molecules expression by the neoplastic cells; this was done using, in immunohistochemical tests, a polyclonal antiserum anti S-100 protein for the identification of LCs and a mouse Monoclonal Antibody (MoAb) for the detection of HLA class II -DR molecules. Our results indicate that LCs are poorly represented in lung carcinomas and likewise HLA class II molecules are scarcely expressed by the neoplastic cells; this might be important in understanding the ominous prognosis of lung carcinomas since both parameters investigated play a central role in the immune response against human neoplasia, LCs as antigen presenting cells and HLA class II molecule as restriction elements during antigen stimulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (AC&GB), Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bigotti
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cione
mesh_terms: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens