Transfer of the IL-6 gene into a human colorectal carcinoma cell line and consequent enhancement of tumor antigen expression

Immunol Lett. 1993 May;36(2):179-85. doi: 10.1016/0165-2478(93)90050-c.

Abstract

cDNA encoding the human IL gene (580 bp), inserted into a retroviral expression vector carrying neomycin resistance selective marker, was introduced into HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells by lipofection. Interleukin-6 activity was measured by ELISA and bioassay using B9 cells. Interleukin-6 secreted by transfected HT-29 cells was shown to be biologically active. The expression of the human tumor associated antigen CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), HLA classes I and II, and ICAM-1 antigens in the transfected HT-29 cells were also analyzed by flow cytometry. Significant enhancement in the expression of CEA but not in the expression of HLA class I, HLA class II and ICAM-1 antigens, was observed in the transfected HT-29 cells as compared to the parental HT-29 cells. These results provide experimental evidence that enhancement of tumor antigen expression on tumor cells can be induced by IL-6 gene transfection, and suggest another potential role for the use of IL-6 gene transfer in the immunotherapy of human cancers.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / biosynthesis
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / genetics
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / immunology
  • Carcinoma / immunology
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genes*
  • HLA Antigens / biosynthesis
  • HLA Antigens / genetics
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / physiology
  • Liposomes
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • HLA Antigens
  • Interleukin-6
  • Liposomes
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • DNA