Loss of HLA-A,B,C allele products and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 in colorectal neoplasia.
The expression of HLA-A,B,C antigens and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 in human colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas was studied by immunohistochemistry. None of 10 adenomas and only 1 of 30 carcinomas had lost expression of all HLA-A,B,C molecules. On the other hand, focal loss of an HLA-B product was seen in 2 of the adenomas, and complete losses of tumor cell HLA-A2 (in 7 of 13 cases), HLA-Bw4 (in 4 of 13 cases), and HLA-A3 (in 1 of 6 cases) were seen in the carcinomas. No complete losses of HLA-A1 (in 6 cases) or HLA-Bw6 (in 22 cases) occurred in the carcinomas. In addition, 1 of 20 adenocarcinomas totally lacked lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3. Because a loss of tumor cell HLA-A,B,C antigen or lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 could be selected for through an advantage in escape from cytotoxic T-lymphocyte attack, our results suggest that immunoselection may be a more important mechanism in tumor progression than has previously been assumed.
Smith
M E
ME
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, United Kingdom.
Marsh
S G
SG
Bodmer
J G
JG
Gelsthorpe
K
K
Bodmer
W F
WF
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000483:Alleles; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000276:immunology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins