title: Effect of recombinant gamma interferon on hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.
abstract: The effects of recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-gamma) were tested on 4 different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines PLC/PRF/5, HepG2, Hep3B and SK-Hep1. Exposure of these HCC cells to 100/ml of rIFN-gamma induced high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression on their membrane, but not class II antigens. The enhancement of class I antigen synthesis occurs without a corresponding increase in synthesis of HBsAg by HBV genome positive PLC/PRF/5 and Hep3B cells. A 5 log dose of rIFN-gamma also did not trigger the integrated HBV genome into active replication as indicated by a lack of HBcAg and HBeAg synthesis. These results point to a possible role for the use of rIFN-gamma to enhance tumour cell recognition by the host immune system via the increased MHC class I expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma