Modification of HLA expression as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma.
Our data show that: Most BL cells express significantly less HLA class I and II than the corresponding LCLs. Lymphoblastoid cell lines have a much higher HLA class I and II density than normal peripheral blood B cells. There are qualitative differences in class I and II expression in most BL/LCL pairs. These qualitative differences are not caused by EBV infection. They might be due to a selective downregulation of HLA specifities by c-myc activation. We conclude that these modifications of HLA expression may well play a role in the reduced specific immune recognition of Burkitt's lymphoma cells.
Voltz
R
R
Max von Pettenkofer Institute, University of Munich, FRG.
Jilg
W
W
Wolf
H
H
D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans
D006680:HLA Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens