Lack of B7 expression, not human leukocyte antigen expression, facilitates immune evasion by human malignant gliomas.
OBJECTIVE
Lack of human leukocyte antigens and costimulatory molecules have been suggested as mechanisms by which human malignant gliomas avoid immune recognition and elimination.


METHODS
Using quantitative multiparameter flow cytometric analysis, tumor cells from patients with glioblastoma multiforme (n = 18) were examined ex vivo for the expression of human leukocyte antigen Class I and II molecules and the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2. They were compared with reactive astrocytes from peritumoral brain metastases (n = 7), and astrocytes removed during nontumor surgery (n = 5).


RESULTS
In contrast to the vast majority of solid peripheral human tumors, these results demonstrate that glioblastoma multiforme frequently express both human leukocyte antigen Class I and II molecules. Like most solid peripheral tumors, glioblastoma multiforme tumor cells express few or no B7 costimulatory molecules. Functional assays using heterogeneous ex vivo tumor preparations or pure populations of ex vivo tumor cells and microglia obtained using fluorescence-activated cell sorting indicate that CD4+ T-cells are activated by tumor cells only in the presence of exogenous B7 costimulation (provided by addition of soluble agonist anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, in contrast to many solid peripheral tumors, failure to present tumor antigens is not a likely impediment to immunotherapeutic strategies against malignant gliomas. Rather, immunotherapeutic strategies need to overcome low levels of B7 costimulation.
Anderson
Richard C E
RC
Department of Neurological Surgery, The Neurological Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA. rca24@columbia.edu
Anderson
David E
DE
Elder
James B
JB
Brown
Melandee D
MD
Mandigo
Christopher E
CE
Parsa
Andrew T
AT
Goodman
Robert R
RR
McKhann
Guy M
GM
Sisti
Michael B
MB
Bruce
Jeffrey N
JN
D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II