Differential expression of HLA-DR, DQ, and DP antigens in primary and metastatic melanoma.
Fifty-five primary and 33 metastatic surgically removed melanoma lesions were stained in indirect immunoperoxidase with anti HLA-DR, DQ, and DP monoclonal antibodies and with the monoclonal antibody CL203.4 to a 96-K melanoma associated antigen (MAA). The latter antigen may represent a marker to monitor susceptibility of melanoma cells to modulation by IFN-gamma, because it is highly susceptible to induction by IFN-gamma. In primary melanomas 44%, 29%, 10%, and 55% of the lesions tested were evidently stained by anti HLA-DR, DQ, DP, and 96-K MAA monoclonal antibodies, respectively. A statistically significant association (P less than 0.01) was demonstrated between the degree of intratumoral lymphocytic infiltrate and the expression of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ antigens. In addition, a high degree of concordance in the reactivity pattern of individual lesions stained for HLA-DR antigens and for the 96-K MAA was found. In metastases 64%, 33%, 47%, and 100% of the lesions tested were evidently stained by anti HLA-DR, DQ, DP, and 96-K MAA monoclonal antibodies, respectively. This study indicates that HLA-DR and HLA-DP antigens are expressed in a higher percentage of metastatic than of primary melanomas and that there is no marked difference in the expression of HLA-DQ antigens between primary and metastatic melanomas. The data suggest that the regulatory mechanisms which control the expression of HLA-DR and DP antigens in primary and metastatic melanoma lesions are different. Locally produced IFN-gamma may play a role in the regulation of HLA Class II antigens in primary melanomas.
van Vreeswijk
H
H
Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Ruiter
D J
DJ
Bröcker
E B
EB
Welvaart
K
K
Ferrone
S
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins