Expression of MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 genes in neuroblastoma.
The human MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 genes code for antigens that are specifically recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes in a MHC-restricted manner. The MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 genes are expressed in tumors of different histotypes but not in normal adult tissues (with the exception of testis), while the MART-1 gene appears to be selectively expressed in melanoma. MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 antigens may therefore constitute useful targets for specific anti-tumor immunization of cancer patients. Here we have investigated the expression of MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 in 11 neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and 73 NB tumor masses. MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 transcripts were detected simultaneously in 36% of the cell lines and in 16% of tumor samples. The MAGE-1 gene was never expressed alone except in one tumor. In contrast, MAGE-3 mRNA was found in approximately 40% of the NB tumor samples in the absence of MAGE-1 mRNA. No expression of the MART-1 gene was observed in any cell line or tumor sample. No correlation was found between MAGE gene expression and clinical stage, event-free survival and presence or absence of N-myc amplification.
Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
M V
MV
Corrias
P
P
Scaruffi
M
M
Occhino
B
B
De Bernardi
G P
GP
Tonini
V
V
Pistoia
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002455:Cell Division; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins