Overall major histocompatibility complex class I expression is not downregulated in cervix cancer, as detected by immunoelectron microscopy.
Downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules in cervix cancer has been proposed as a mechanism for cancer cells to escape immunodetection. By means of light microscopic immunohistochemistry, it has been shown that in 20-70% of cervix cancers MHC class I is downregulated. We have reinvestigated this phenomenon by quantitative immunogold analysis of MHC class I labeling on the plasma membrane of cervix epithelial cells in ten human squamous cancers and ten normal human cervices. We have not found a statistically significant difference in MHC class I expression between normal and cancer cells. The difference with published light microscopic data probably reflects the higher morphologic resolution and quantifiable immunoreactivity of the immunoelectron microscopy.
van Eijkeren
M A
MA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.vaneykeren@azu.nl
Roovers
J P
JP
Oorschot
V
V
Geuze
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000276:immunology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I