HLA expression in a primary uveal melanoma, its cell line, and four of its metastases.
BACKGROUND
The level of HLA expression on a tumour may influence the immunological response against this tumour, and vice versa. HLA expression was determined in a primary uveal melanoma, its metastases, and on a cell line derived from this melanoma, and the presence and type of infiltrate in tissue sections were also studied.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against HLA class I and II, T cells, NK cells, and macrophages.


RESULTS
Primary and metastatic lesions, as well as the cell line showed high levels of expression of the monomorphic determinants of HLA class I. Expression of the polymorphic HLA-A2 and HLA-A3 antigens was decreased on metastases to the skin and liver. HLA-Bw4 expression was low on all lesions, as well as expression of HLA class II. Tumour infiltrating cells consisted mainly of CD3, CD4, and CD8 positive cells. Expression on the cell line corresponded to expression on the primary tumour.


CONCLUSIONS
The primary uveal melanoma as well as the cell line showed a high expression of monomorphic and polymorphic HLA-A antigens, while metastases showed a high expression of monomorphic and a lower expression of polymorphic antigens. This variation in expression may support tumour cell escape from NK cells as well as CTL mediated lysis.
Blom
D J
DJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Hospital, Netherlands.
Schurmans
L R
LR
De Waard-Siebinga
I
I
De Wolff-Rouendaal
D
D
Keunen
J E
JE
Jager
M J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II