Analysis of expression profiles of MAGE-A antigens in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.
BACKGROUND
The immunological response to solid tumours is insufficient. Therefore, tumour specific antigens have been explored to facilitate the activation of the immune system. The cancer/testis antigen class of MAGE-A antigens is a possible target for vaccination. Their differential expression profiles also modulate the course of the cancer disease and its response to antineoplastic drugs.


METHODS
The expression profiles of MAGE-A2, -A3, -A4, -A6 and -A10 in five own oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were characterised by rt-PCR, qrt-PCR and immunocytochemistry with a global MAGE-A antibody (57B) and compared with those of an adult keratinocyte cell line (NHEK).


RESULTS
All tumour cell lines expressed MAGE-A antigens. The antigens were expressed in groups with different preferences. The predominant antigens expressed were MAGE-A2, -A3 and -A6. MAGE-A10 was not expressed in the cell lines tested. The MAGE-A gene products detected in the adult keratinocyte cell line NHEK were used as a reference.


CONCLUSIONS
MAGE-A antigens are expressed in oral squamous cell carcinomas. The expression profiles measured facilitate distinct examinations in forthcoming studies on responses to antineoplastic drugs or radiation therapy. MAGE-A antigens are still an interesting aim for immunotherapy.
Dpt of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. mueller_u2@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Urs D A
UD
Müller-Richter
Albert
A
Dowejko
Tobias
T
Reuther
Johannes
J
Kleinheinz
Torsten E
TE
Reichert
Oliver
O
Driemel
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C119317:MAGE-A10 antigen; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; C095204:MAGEA4 protein, human; C095203:MAGEA6 protein, human; C420909:Mage-a2 antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins