title: Differential expression of immune-modulatory molecule HLA-E in non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the thyroid.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)E is a non-classical molecule of the histocompatibility complex that functions as one of the main ligands of the Natural Killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A and inhibits its potent cytotoxic activity. Due to the important role of NK cells in combating neoplasm, we hypothesized that the differential expression of HLA-E could favor the progression of heterogeneous thyroid tumors.Using an immunohistochemistry technique in 143 biopsies of thyroid tumors, including benign and malignant neoplasms and goiters, we evaluated the expression of HLA-E among various tumor types and its association with the clinicopathological factors of diseases. We verified high HLA-E expression in all types of neoplastic tumors, although no significant differences between the groups were found. Low expression was observed in 95 percent of the goiter samples, showing significant differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Furthermore, a significant result was found with regard to the tumor size, with high HLA-E expression being related to smaller tumors. Therefore, our data suggest that an increase in HLA-E may be associated with the establishment of thyroid neoplasms, with either benign or malignant features.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Carvalho-Galano
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: N L F
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hassumi-Fukasawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Miranda-Camargo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: L M Z
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribeiro-Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000097625:HLA-E Antigens