Ethanol: an enhancer of transplantation antigen expression.
Major histocompatibility antigens (MHC) play a pivotal role in the immune response. Abnormal expression of MHC antigens has been correlated with aberrant regulation of the immune response. Studies on the effect of ethanol on class I MHC antigens demonstrate that ethanol significantly enhances their cell surface expression in a variety of cell lines in vitro. These changes in cell surface levels reflect increased intracellular protein synthesis and increased steady state mRNA levels. The effective ethanol concentrations (0.1-1.0%) are physiologically attainable. Measurement of class I MHC antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes in a population of acutely ethanol-intoxicated patients showed a highly significant increase relative to controls. The possibility that the elevated levels of MHC antigens induced by ethanol may play a role in the evolution of ethanol-related disease is discussed.
Singer
D S
DS
Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Parent
L J
LJ
Kolber
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D013724:Teratoma / Q000235:genetics
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D000431:Ethanol; D012313:RNA