Expression of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, -DP, -DQ, and of HLA-D-associated invariant chain (Ii) in non-neoplastic mammary epithelium, fibroadenoma, adenoma, and carcinoma of the breast.
Non-neoplastic mammary gland, 20 benign tumors and 206 carcinomas of the breast were immunohistochemically examined for expression of HLA-A, -B, -C, HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ molecules and the HLA-D associated invariant chain (Ii). In contrast to cells from benign lesions, tumor cells of 51.2% of carcinomas had an abnormally low content of HLA-A, -B, and -C determinants ranging from reduction of antigenic density per cell (28.8%) over an incomplete (15.6%) to complete loss of antigens (6.8%). Associated with lymphohistiocytic stromal infiltrates, HLA-D/Ii determinants were found to be induced in benign duct and acinar epithelium after the order Ii greater than or equal to HLA-DR greater than or equal to HLA-DP greater than or equal to HLA-DQ. These antigens were also expressed, mostly noncoordinately, in 55.5% of carcinomas, and in 98 cases according to the above order. In 28.6%, Ii expression clearly exceeded HLA-D antigen expression; conversely, 6.2% contained HLA-DR+/Ii- tumor cell subsets. In breast carcinoma, the association of reduced HLA-A, -B, and -C expression and a noninduction of HLA-DR was highly significant (P less than 0.0009), suggesting an abnormal signal acting down-regulating on the expression of both classes of antigens. Because the modality of HLA-A, -B, and -C and HLA-D/Ii expression correlated with neither tumor type nor grade, it might be an independent parameter.
Möller
P
P
Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, West Germany.
Mattfeldt
T
T
Gross
C
C
Schlosshauer
P
P
Koch
A
A
Koretz
K
K
Moldenhauer
G
G
Kaufmann
M
M
Otto
H F
HF
D000232:Adenofibroma / Q000276:immunology*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001940:Breast / Q000276:immunology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006680:HLA Antigens