HLA-G expression in human ovarian carcinoma counteracts NK cell function.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is an important immunotolerant which could be a part of the strategies applied by malignant cells applied to avoid host immunosurveillance. Aberrant expression of HLA-G has been found in ovarian carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HLA-G expression in ovarian cancer tissues and to explore its function in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

HLA-G expression in 33 primary ovarian carcinoma tissues was analyzed using immunohistochemistry with the anti-HLA-G monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4H84. Furthermore, the function of HLA-G in NK cell cytotoxicity was determined in vitro by cloning and expression of HLA-G on the ovarian carcinoma cell OVCAR-3.

RESULTS:

HLA-G expression was detected in 22/33 (66.7%) primary tumor tissues, but was absent in normal ovarian tissues (P<0.01). Cytotoxicity studies showed that HLA-G expression dramatically inhibits cell lyses by NK-92 cells (P<0.01), which could be restored by the anti-HLA-G conformational mAb 87G (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

HLA-G was expressed in a significant number of primary ovarian carcinoma tissues, and HLA-G expression in OVCAR-3 could directly inhibit NK-92 cell lysis. Taken together, our results indicated that expression of HLA-G plays an important role in evasion of ovarian cancer cells from host immunosurveillance.

• Authors: A Lin, W-H Yan, H-H Xu, M-F Gan, J-F Cai, M Zhu, M-Y Zhou
• Journal: Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology (Ann Oncol) Vol. 18 Issue 11 Pg. 1804-9 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1569-8041 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17846022 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• HLA Antigens
• HLA-G Antigens
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Biopsy, Needle
• Carcinoma (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• HLA Antigens (immunology)
• HLA-G Antigens
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology, physiology)
• Ovarian Neoplasms (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Prognosis
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Tumor Cells, Cultured