Expression of MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 cancer-testis antigens in fetal testis.
Immunohistochemical expression of MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1 cancer testis antigens (CTA) was assessed in 24 fetal testes from 15th to 36th week of gestation. Three monoclonal antibodies were used for immunohistochemical staining: 77B recognizing MAGE-A1, 57B recognizing multiple MAGE-A CTA, and D8.38 recognizing NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1. Expression of MAGE-A1 was not observed in fetal testis samples, whereas multi-MAGE-A and NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1 specific reagents stained pro-spermatogonia in all samples with different expression levels during the period of fetal development observed. Significant expression of MAGE-A3/4 and almost continuous expression of NY-ESO-1 in fetal testes after 22nd week of gestation suggested their important role in the development of sex cords and pro-spermatogonia in particular.
Hudolin
Tvrtko
T
University Department of Urology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Kispatićeva 12, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. thudolin@hotmail.com
Kastelan
Zeljko
Z
Derezić
Danijel
D
Basić-Jukić
Nikolina
N
Cesare Spagnoli
Giulio
G
Juretić
Antonio
A
Jezek
Davor
D
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C104948:CTAG1B protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; C095204:MAGEA4 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins