Frequent lack of translation of antigen presentation-associated molecules MHC class I, CD1a and Beta(2)-microglobulin in Reed-Sternberg cells.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present in Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells of a substantial proportion of Hodgkin's lymphoma cases. Most EBV-positive cases are also MHC class I-positive, whereas the majority of EBV-negative cases lack detectable levels of MHC class I expression. Application of the SAGE technique has led to the identification of tags corresponding to MHC class I and beta(2)-microglobulin genes in the EBV- and MHC class I-negative L428 Hodgkin's cell line. Further expression studies indicated that single RS cells that do not express HLA class I also lack beta(2)-microglobulins but frequently contain mRNA coding for these proteins. Another tag was identified corresponding to CD1a, a thymocyte and Langerhans cell antigen structurally related to the MHC class I genes. CD1a expression studies revealed mRNA in all cell lines and in several of the single cells, whereas immunostaining showed a cytoplasmic signal in only 2 of the 4 cell lines and in none of the Hodgkin's lymphoma tissue samples. In conclusion, RS cells frequently lack MHC class I, beta(2)-microglobulin and CD1a protein expression but contain mRNA coding for these proteins in some of the RS cells, suggesting a common mechanism affecting the translation of these antigen presentation-associated molecules.
Van den Berg
A
A
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Visser
L
L
Eberwine
J
J
Dadvand
L
L
Poppema
S
S
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D016539:Reed-Sternberg Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin