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Transfection of TAP 1 gene restores HLA class I expression in human small‐cell lung carcinoma
Author(s) -
Singal Dharam P.,
Ye Ming,
Bienzle Dorothee
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19980105)75:1<112::aid-ijc17>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - transfection , biology , mhc class i , major histocompatibility complex , human leukocyte antigen , antigen , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , cell culture , immunology , genetics
HLA class I antigens of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play an important role in immune response. Consistent with their role in immune surveillance, these antigens are expressed on most cell types. However, a marked deficiency or lack of expression of these antigens has been observed in a variety of human neoplasms. We have shown that a number of class I‐deficient human tumor cell lines, including small‐cell lung carcinoma, lacked products of MHC‐encoded TAP 1 and LMP 2 genes. Since a direct evidence for the role of these genes in class I expression in tumor cells is not available, in the present study we transfected class I‐deficient human small‐cell lung carcinoma cells with cDNAs corresponding to TAP 1 gene and to LMP 2 gene. Following transfection, tumor cells expressed products of the respective transfected gene. Cell‐surface expression of class I molecules was, however, observed in cells transfected with TAP 1, but not in tumor cells transfected with LMP 2 gene. Our results provide conclusive evidence for a role of TAP 1 gene in class I expression and suggest that transfection of TAP genes may be useful to upregulate class I expression in tumor cells. This strategy for restoration of class I expression by transfection of TAP genes is relevant for tumor rejection and/or abrogation of metastases formation. Int. J. Cancer 75:112–116, 1998.© 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.