Modulation by MHC class I antigens of the biology of melanoma cells. Non-immunological mechanisms.
Many human as well as experimental tumours, including melanoma, express reduced levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I antigens. Decreased MHC Class I antigen expression may be selected during neoplastic progression because it allows tumour cells to escape killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the regulatory role of MHC Class I antigens in the proliferation of T cells suggests that abnormalities in MHC Class I antigen expression may play a role in the disordered proliferation of malignant cells and in their metastatic potential by non-immunological mechanisms. This paper reviews some of the available evidence supporting the concept of non-immune functions of MHC Class I antigens in the biology of malignant cells, with emphasis on experimental models for metastatic melanoma.
Gattoni-Celli
S
S
Department of Radiation Oncology, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111.
Calorini
L
L
Simile
M M
MM
Ferrone
S
S
D000818:Animals; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I