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. 1997 Nov;81(11):989–993. doi: 10.1136/bjo.81.11.989

HLA expression in a primary uveal melanoma, its cell line, and four of its metastases

D Blom 1, L Schurmans 1, I De Waard-Siebinga 1, D De Wolff-Rouendaa 1, J Keunen 1, M Jager 1
PMCID: PMC1722057  PMID: 9505825

Abstract

BACKGROUND—The level of HLA expression on a tumour may influence the immunological response against this tumour, and vice versa. HLA expression was determined in a primary uveal melanoma, its metastases, and on a cell line derived from this melanoma, and the presence and type of infiltrate in tissue sections were also studied.
METHODS—Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against HLA class I and II, T cells, NK cells, and macrophages.
RESULTS—Primary and metastatic lesions, as well as the cell line showed high levels of expression of the monomorphic determinants of HLA class I. Expression of the polymorphic HLA-A2 and HLA-A3 antigens was decreased on metastases to the skin and liver. HLA-Bw4 expression was low on all lesions, as well as expression of HLA class II. Tumour infiltrating cells consisted mainly of CD3, CD4, and CD8 positive cells. Expression on the cell line corresponded to expression on the primary tumour.
CONCLUSION—The primary uveal melanoma as well as the cell line showed a high expression of monomorphic and polymorphic HLA-A antigens, while metastases showed a high expression of monomorphic and a lower expression of polymorphic antigens. This variation in expression may support tumour cell escape from NK cells as well as CTL mediated lysis.



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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Expression of: (A) NKI-beteb on part one of the primary tumour. All tumour cells stain positively, while vessels are not stained; (B) negative control (PBS) on part one of the primary tumour. No staining is observed; (C) HLA-A2 on part one of the primary tumour. Tumour cells, as well as vessels stain positive; (D) HLA-DR on part one of the primary tumour. Scattered infiltrating cells and part of the tumour cells stain positively; (E) NKI-beteb on the liver metastasis. A cluster of positive staining cells can be discerned near a negative vessel; (F) HLA-A2 on the liver metastasis. Consecutive section to (E) the same cluster of NKI-beteb positive tumour cells does not stain positive for HLA-A2; (G) NKI-beteb on the skin metastasis. Virtually the whole section stains positive, excluding the vessels; (H) HLA-DR on the skin metastasis. Consecutive section to (G) scattered infiltrating cells and part of the tumour cells stain positively. (Original magnification ×200.)

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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