Biochemical analysis of HLA class I subunits expression in breast cancer tissues.

Abstract

The expression of HLA class I alpha-chain and beta(2)-m subunits was studied at the protein level by a semiquantitative Western blot (WB) approach, in 25 primary breast tumors. The results indicated three pathways of alterations defined comparing the tumor WB gel band with the corresponding PBL gel band: (i) high downregulation pattern (the tumor WB gel band was < or =50% relative to the PBL band), which was found in 44% and 36% of tumors for alpha-chain and beta(2)-m, respectively; (ii) low downregulation pattern (the tumor gel band was between 51% and 75%), which was found in 24% and 20% of tumors for alpha-chain and beta(2)75%), which was found in 32% and 44% of tumors for alpha-chain and beta(2)-m, respectively. The concordance rate with immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on the same tissue samples was 72% for alpha-chain and 64% for beta(2)-m. This study shows that the use of a semiquantitative WB technique can well define the levels of HLA class I antigens in an autologous setting allowing the biochemical analysis of HLA class I downregulation directly in solid tumor tissues. In addition, the WB technique can be a valuable tool to objectively support the IHC method.

• Authors: M P Pistillo, G Nicolò, S Salvi, P Capanni, L Perdelli, G Pasciucco, G B Ferrara
• Journal: Human immunology (Hum Immunol) Vol. 61 Issue 4 Pg. 397-407 (Apr 2000) ISSN: 0198-8859 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10715517 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HLA Antigens
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
• beta 2-Microglobulin

Topics

• Blotting, Western
• Breast Neoplasms (chemistry, immunology, pathology)
• HLA Antigens (biosynthesis, chemistry)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I (biosynthesis, chemistry)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Staining and Labeling
• beta 2-Microglobulin (biosynthesis, chemistry)