Pivotal molecules of MHC I pathway in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of several important molecules involved in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I presentation pathway in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to determine whether cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) vaccine therapy was suitable for HCC.


METHODS
Labeled streptavidin biotin (LSAB) method of immunohistochemistry was used to study 33 HCC tissue specimens.


RESULTS
Most HCC tissues and adjacent histological normal hepatocytes expressed HLA-I antigens,TAP, and B7, expression of B7 was especially strong, and there was no significant difference between them (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The MHC class I presentation pathway in primary hepatocellular carcinoma may not be abnormal or dysfunctional, and CTL could kill these tumor cells. Thus, it is suitable and practicable to design and construct CTL vaccine against HCC.
Chen
Wei
W
Department of Immunology, School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Cai
Mei-Ying
MY
Wei
Da-Peng
DP
Wang
Xia
X
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I