MHC class I antigens and immune surveillance in transformed cells.
MHC class I antigens play a crucial role in the interaction of tumor cells with the host immune system, in particular, in the presentation of peptides as tumor-associated antigens to cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) and in the regulation of cytolytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells. In this review we discuss the role of MHC class I antigens in the recognition and elimination of transformed cells and in the generation of tumor immune escape routes when MHC class I losses occur in tumors. The different altered MHC class I phenotypes and their distribution in different human tumors are the main topic of this review. In addition, molecular defects that underlie MHC alterations in transformed cells are also described in detail. Future research directions in this field are also discussed, including the laboratory analysis of tumor MHC class I-negative variants and the possible restoration of MHC class I expression.
Aptsiauri
Natalia
N
Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
Cabrera
Teresa
T
Garcia-Lora
Angel
A
Lopez-Nevot
Miguel Angel
MA
Ruiz-Cabello
Francisco
F
Garrido
Federico
F
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019139:Tumor Escape
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I