Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II expression in Hodgkin's disease in relation to the presence of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
We have investigated the immunohistochemical expression of beta2-microglobulin and HLA-DR proteins in Hodgkin's disease (HD) in relation to the expression of the EBV-encoded EBER1-2 mRNAs and the LMP-1 protein. beta2-microglobulin is expressed in association with MHC-I molecules on most nucleated cells and HLA-DR belongs to the MHC-II molecules which are expressed mostly on antigen-presenting cells. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 39 cases of lymphonodal HD were stained by immunohistochemistry for beta2-microglobulin, HLA-DR and LMP-1 proteins and by RNA in situ hybridization for EBER1-2 mRNAs. beta2-microglobulin positive staining was found in Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin cells (HRS cells) in 18/39 cases of HD. HLA-DR positive staining was found in HRS cells in all cases of HD. EBER1-2 transcripts and LMP-1 protein were detected in HRS cells in 16/39 cases of HD. No correlation as found between the presence of EBER 1-2 transcripts or the LMP-1 protein and the detection of beta2-microglobulin and HLA-DR proteins in HD. Thus, EBV does not seem to use downregulation of MHC-I to avoid the T-cell cytotoxic immune response in HD. In addition, EBV does not seem to be the only factor responsible for the HLA-DR expression in HRS cells of HD, although it could participate in the induction of the expression of HLA-DR molecule in the EBV positive cases of HD.
Tzardi
M
M
Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece.
Kouvidou
C
C
Papakonstantinou
E
E
Datseris
G
G
Darivianaki
K
K
Karidi
E
E
Eliopoulos
G
G
Delidis
G
G
Rontogianni
D
D
Kanavaros
P
P
D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin