Phenotypic and genetic analysis of HLA class I and HLA-DR antigen expression on human melanomas.
Class I and HLA-DR antigen expression were studied with histochemical techniques involving monomorphic monoclonal antibodies in 49 cases of human malignant melanomas, 20 primary and 29 metastatic. A large percentage (90%) of primary melanomas were positive for HLA class I, while those primary lesions showing lowest levels of class I antigen expression were at the upper end of the range of invasiveness and possessed a higher metastatic potential. Expression of HLA-DR molecules on primary melanomas was low (25% of all cases) and HLA-DR-positive melanomas were among the most aggressive. In metastatic melanomas, HLA class I expression was less common than in primary lesions. The lowest percentage of cases positive for HLA class I was found for cutaneous metastases. HLA-DR molecules were more frequently expressed by lymph node metastases than on primary melanomas. The comparison of the expression of HLA class I and HLA-DR molecules by primary melanomas and their autologous metastases revealed a high degree of heterogeneity. Class I genes were further studied by Southern blot assays. No differences were found in restriction fragments for class I genes among 4 melanomas and their autologous lymphocytes, 2 of which were positive and 2 negative for class I expression.
López-Nevot
M A
MA
Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Espãna.
Garcia
E
E
Romero
C
C
Oliva
M R
MR
Serrano
S
S
Garrido
F
F
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I