[Expression of MAGE, GAGE, and BAGE genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the expression of MAGE, GAGE and BAGE genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines.


METHODS
The expression levels of MAGE-1, MAGE-3, GAGE1-8, GAGE1-2 and BAGE mRNAs in HCC cell lines SMMC-7721, QQY-7701, BEL-7402 were studied by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and were compared with those in biopsied liver tissues.


RESULTS
MAGE-1 and BAGE mRNAs were expressed in SMMC-7721 cells. MAGE-3 and BAGE mRNAs were expressed in QQY-7701 cells. MAGE-1 and GAGE1-2 mRNAs were expressed in BEL-7402 cells. None of these genes was expressed in biopsied liver tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
MAGE-1, MAGE-3, GAGE1-8, GAGE1-2 and BAGE are expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. These tumor-specific antigens can be used as molecular markers for early diagnosis and possible targets for immunotherapy of human HCC.
Shao
Jun-bin
JB
Institute of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Chen
Zhi
Z
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C092706:BAGE protein, human; C095365:GAGE1 protein, human; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger