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c‐myc down‐regulates class I HLA expression in human melanomas.
Author(s) -
Versteeg R.,
Noordermeer I. A.,
KrüseWolters M.,
Ruiter D. J.,
Schrier P. I.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1988.tb02909.x
Subject(s) - university hospital , medicine , clinical oncology , oncology , cancer
Expression of class I HLA antigen has been shown to be reduced in a number of human tumours. Here we show that in a panel of 11 melanoma cell lines with variable class I HLA expression an inverse correlation exists between the mRNA levels of c‐myc and class I HLA. This suggests that high expression of the c‐myc oncogene might inhibit the class I HLA expression. To test this hypothesis a melanoma cell line with a low c‐myc and high class I HLA mRNA expression was transfected with a c‐myc expression vector. All clones expressing the transfected c‐myc gene show reduced class I HLA mRNA and beta 2‐microglobulin mRNA expression. Reduced class I HLA mRNA levels result in a lowered class I protein expression on the cell surface. Treatment with gamma‐interferon fully restores the class I HLA and beta 2‐microglobulin expression in these cells. This effect is preceded by a transient decrease of the c‐myc mRNA level. These results show that the class I HLA expression is modulated by the level of c‐myc expression, thus opening up the possibility that high expression of this oncogene influences the interaction of melanoma cells with the immune system.