title: Molecular abnormalities in the expression of HLA class-I antigens by melanoma cells.
abstract: Testing of a panel of cultured human melanoma cells with radiolabelled anti-HLA-class-I monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in a binding assay has shown lack of reactivity of FO-I and SK-MEL-33 cells and low reactivity of SK-MEK-19 cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of the components immunoprecipitated from the 3 intrinsically radiolabelled melanoma cell lines by antibodies to the 2 subunits of HLA-class-I antigens has not detected beta 2-mu in the immunoprecipitates from melanoma cells FO-I and SK-MEL-33 and only a low level of HLA-class-I heavy chain in the immunoprecipitate from SK-MEL-19 cells. Northern blotting analysis with probes specific for HLA-class-I heavy chain and for beta 2-mu indicates that the abnormalities in HLA-class-I-antigen expression reflects a defect at the transcriptional level in FO-I cells and at the post-transcriptional level in SK-MEL-19 and in SK-MEL-33 cells. FO-I, SK-MEL-19 and SK-MEL-33 cells represent useful models to analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying the loss of HLA-class-I-antigen expression which is often associated with malignant transformation of melanocytes and to characterize the role of HLA-class-I antigens in the biology of melanoma cells and in their interactions with effector cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595.
authors.forename: Z G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Urso
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrone
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002460:Cell Line; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D015870:Gene Expression; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D012333:RNA, Messenger