Comparison of surface HLA class I levels in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) are the most frequent malignancies in this region. Down-regulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I was found to be implicated in the immune escape of these tumors.


METHODS
Cell surface expression levels of several HLA class I antigens were evaluated in 21 SCCHN cell lines utilizing FACS analysis.


RESULTS
Expression levels of HLA-antigens varied significantly between the investigated cell lines. On average higher HLA-B27 expression levels were observed in cell lines from younger and female patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data confirms down-regulation of HLA class I to be an important event in SCCHN. However, since several SCCHN cell lines also exhibited high HLA levels, other mechanisms than HLA down-regulation also need to be considered as a cause for disease progression. Further studies will be required to elucidate the potential role of HLA-B27 in SCCHN.
Mandic
Robert
R
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps University Marburg, Deutschhausstrasse 3, D-35037 Marburg, Germany. mandic@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Lieder
Anja
A
Sadowski
Maria
M
Peldszus
Roswitha
R
Werner
Jochen A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen