Altered expression of nonclassical HLA class Ib antigens in human renal cell carcinoma and its association with impaired immune response

Hum Immunol. 2003 Nov;64(11):1081-92. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2003.08.350.

Abstract

An optimal antitumoral immune response requires the activation of both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes by the peptide antigen presentation via the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II molecules, respectively. Downregulation or loss of HLA molecules has been found in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and provides a strategy of these tumors to evade T-cell mediated immunosurveillance. In addition, a tumor-specific upregulation of HLA-G has been recently described in RCC, which also leads to an impaired immune response. We here summarize the frequency of the constitutive and/or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inducible expression of nonclassical HLA class Ib antigens in RCC cell lines, surgically removed RCC lesions and normal kidney epithelium, the molecular characteristics of HLA-G expression, and its role in immune recognition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HLA Antigens / biosynthesis
  • HLA Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma