title: HLA expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: This study examines the expression of MHC class I and II antigens and their related invariant chains in 70 cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using monoclonal (Mabs) and polyclonal antibodies. In comparison with normal hepatocytes, the majority (94.3%) of HCCs show enhancement or acquisition of HLA-A, B, C in either a cytoplasmic or membranous distribution, with staining being uniformly distributed throughout the specimen. HLA-A, B, C was accompanied by beta 2-microglobulin expression in all but two cases. Although 44.9% of specimens showed HLA-DR expression, positively staining tumour cells were often sparse and heterogeneously distributed. By contrast, the invariant (I) chain, present in 47.1% of cases, was frequently intensively stained and extensive in distribution. HLA-DR staining was usually cytoplasmic although two cases showed faint membranous enhancement. In addition to HLA-DR and I-chain, two cases also showed HLA-DQ staining. Display of MHC antigens was not related to tumour differentiation or size of the lesion (resected vs. advanced tumours). It is possible that the acquisition of class I antigens by the majority of HCCs may influence tumour behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pathology Unit, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sciot
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kew
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Callea
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Dusheiko
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Desmet
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens