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. 1999 Nov;81(6):1080–1087. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6690810

Expression of MAGE-1 and -3 genes and gene products in human hepatocellular carcinoma

K Kariyama 1, T Higashi 1, Y Kobayashi 1, K Nouso 1, H Nakatsukasa 1, T Yamano 1, M Ishizaki 1, T Kaneyoshi 1, N Toshikuni 1, T Ohnishi 1, K Fujiwara 1, E Nakayama 2, L Terracciano 3, G C Spagnoli 4, T Tsuji 1
PMCID: PMC2362936  PMID: 10576668

Abstract

MAGE gene family encodes peptides recognized by autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I restricted fashion. In the present study, we have performed reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the genes, as well as immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting of MAGE-1 and -3 proteins in 33 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MAGE-1 and -3 mRNAs were constitutively expressed exclusively in 78 and 42% of HCCs respectively. On immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies, 77B for MAGE-1 and 57B for MAGE-3, MAGE-1 and -3 proteins were recognized in cytoplasm of only six among 33 (18%) and two of 29 HCCs (7%) respectively. The distribution pattern was mostly focal in HCC nodules. By contrast, the Western blot analysis revealed that the MAGE-1 (46 kDa) and -3 proteins (48 kDa) were expressed in 80 and 60% of 15 HCCs examined respectively. The proteins of MAGE-1 and -3 were also expressed exclusively in HCCs regardless of the histological grading and clinical staging. Our results indicate that the detection of the genes by RT-PCR or the proteins by Western blotting is useful for differentiating early HCCs from non-cancerous lesions, and that the peptides derived from MAGE-1 and -3 proteins might be suitable targets for immunotherapy of human HCC. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords: tumour-rejection antigen, cancer testis antigen, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunotherapy

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Selected References

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