Detection of HLA-DR antigens in paraffin-embedded thyroid epithelial cells with a monoclonal antibody.
The human Class II major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens, or Ia antigens, which are thought to regulate immune cell interaction, can be detected in paraffin-embedded tissues by immunoperoxidase staining with a recently developed monoclonal antibody (LK8D3). HLA-DR antigens were observed in lymphoid tissues, Langerhans cells of the skin, some epithelial cells, and pulmonary alveolar macrophages. The expression of HLA-DR antigens was analyzed in formalin-paraffin sections by immunoperoxidase in 86 normal and abnormal thyroid epithelial tissues. All patients with Hashimoto's disease (8/8) and most patients with Graves' disease (6/8) expressed HLA/DR antigens in the thyroid epithelial cells and in adjacent inflammatory cells. Most papillary carcinomas (12/18), including 3 of 5 follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinomas, had HLA-DR antigens detected in epithelial cells; whereas medullary thyroid carcinomas (0/5), follicular carcinomas (0/5), and multinodular goiters (0/4) did not have detectable HLA-DR immunoreactivity. A few other thyroid lesions had HLA-DR antigens detected in epithelial cells, including anaplastic carcinomas (2/5), Hurthle-cell tumors (1/16), and thyroid lymphomas (2/2). Monoclonal antibody LK8D3 and two other commercially available monoclonal antibodies against HLA-DR-stained tissues equally well in cryostat sections, but only antibody LK8D3 was effective in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. These results indicate that epithelial cells from thyroids of patients with autoimmune diseases commonly express HLA-DR antigens. The presence of HLA-DR antigens in most papillary thyroid carcinomas may be helpful diagnostically in cases of follicular variants of papillary carcinomas. The role of HLA-DR expression in autoimmune thyroid disease and in papillary thyroid carcinoma remains to be determined.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D010232:Paraffin; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D010232:Paraffin