Immunohistochemical detection of major histocompatibility complex antigens and quantitative analysis of tumour-infiltrating mononuclear cells in renal cell cancer.
In order to investigate the anti-tumour immune responsiveness of patients with renal cell cancer (RCC), we examined 30 such patients for the degree of expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II antigens on RCC and the populations of tumour-infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIM). Normal renal tubular cells expressed class I but not class II antigens. Most of the tumour cells expressed class I antigens in 25 (83%) cases, but the proportion of such cells was reduced in five cases, three of which were of granular cell type histologically. Class II antigens were detected in all specimens with class I positivity. Various numbers of TIM were detected in 25 cases, being composed mainly of T cells and a smaller number of macrophages. Examination for the phenotype of T cells showed that CD8-positive cells were the dominant population. B cells were not detected. Quantitative analysis revealed that the numbers of TIM were significantly lower in cases showing class I reduction than in those with normal class I expression. Therefore, it was clear that class I antigens were preserved in RCC cells in most cases. Furthermore, a higher rate of reduction of class I antigens was observed in cases of granular cell type, which has been reported to have a worse prognosis than the clear cell type. The present data suggest that degree of the expression of MHC class I antigen on RCC might influence the host immune responsiveness against it.
Department of Immunology, Niigata University, School of Medicine, Japan.
Y
Y
Tomita
T
T
Nishiyama
M
M
Fujiwara
S
S
Sato
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006680:HLA Antigens