Expression of the Genes Encoding Human Leucocyte Antigens-A, -B, -DP, -DQ and -G in Gastric Cancer Patients

• Published in: Journal of international medical research 2010-06, Vol.38 (3), p.949-956
• Main Authors: Zhang, Y, Liu, Y, Lu, N, Shan, NN, Zheng, GX, Zhao, SM, Zou, X, Gao, YJ, Li, YJ, Wang, YS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - genetics; Adenocarcinoma - secondary; Adult; Aged; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Female; Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression; HLA Antigens - genetics; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - chemistry; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Stomach Neoplasms - genetics; Stomach Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/147323001003800321

This study compared the expression of the genes encoding human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-A, -B, -DP, -DR and -G in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in gastric cancer patients and healthy controls. Using reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction, levels of classical HLA-A, -B, -DP and -DR and non-classical HLA-G mRNA were studied in 43 gastric cancer patients and 22 controls. In addition, the levels of HLA-A,B,C and -G antigens on the surface of PBMCs were measured in 30 gastric cancer patients and 15 controls using flow cytometry. The mean fluorescence intensity of HLA-A,B,C antigen in the gastric cancer group was significantly lower than in controls. The HLA-G antigen was mainly present on CD4+CD8− T-lymphocytes. The percentage of CD4+CD8− T-lymphocytes positive for HLA-G antigen was significantly lower in the gastric cancer group compared with the healthy controls. Levels of HLA-A, -B and -G mRNA in the gastric cancer group were significantly lower than in controls. The HLA-G mRNA levels were significantly lower in gastric cancer of histological grades III and IV than in grades I and II. These data may provide a novel diagnostic and research tool for gastric cancer.