Functional expression of human-epidermal-growth-factor receptor in a melanoma cell line.
EGFR [EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor] overexpression correlates with poor prognosis and bad outcomes in different tumours. However, evidence for EGFR contribution in melanoma immunobiology is limited. We have expressed the full-length human EGFR gene in a murine melanoma cell line. EGFR protein expression in stably trnasfected B16 cells in culture was defined by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and FACS. Additionally, transfected cells became sensitive to the lysis induced with an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody in the presence of complement. Exogenous human EGF addition induced cell proliferation, validating the transfected receptor functionality. Thus we have developed a system to express a functional EGFR in order to evaluate the potential contribution of EGFR expression in melanoma biology and its resulting relevance as a target for immunointerventions in nonepithelial tumours.
Diaz
Arlhee
A
Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba. arlhee@cim.sld.cu
Suarez
Eduardo
E
Blanco
Rances
R
Badia
Teresita
T
Rivero
Dianelys
D
Lopez-Requena
Alejandro
A
Lopez
Armando
A
Montero
Enrique
E
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors