title: Expression of major histocompatibility complex class II and costimulatory molecules in oral carcinomas in vitro.
abstract: Recognition in the 1980 s that keratinocytes can express class II molecules of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) first raised the possibility that these cells might have an immunological function, and may even act as antigen presenting cells (APC). For effective T lymphocyte activation, APC require, in addition to MHC II, appropriate costimulatory signals. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of MHC class II and the co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80 and CD86 in keratinocytes derived from healthy oral mucosa and oral carcinomas. Using flow cytometry, it was confirmed that oral keratinocytes, switch on, expression of MHC class II molecules after stimulation with IFNgamma in vitro. All keratinocyte lines expressed CD40 constitutively; by contrast, CD80 and CD86 were universally absent. Loss of CD80 and CD86 may be one means whereby tumours escape immunological surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patología, Medicina y Cirugía Bucal, Universidad Santa María, Caracas, Venezuela. mvillarroeldorrego@cantv.net
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villarroel-Dorrego
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Speight
authors.forename: A William
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Barrett
mesh_terms: D016525:Antigenic Modulation; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma