Brief Article
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World J Immunol. Nov 27, 2013; 3(3): 62-67
Published online Nov 27, 2013. doi: 10.5411/wji.v3.i3.62
Tumor antigen and MHC expression in glioma cells for immunotherapeutic interventions
Christina Susanne Mullins, Alexander Walter, Michael Schmitt, Carl-Friedrich Classen, Michael Linnebacher
Christina Susanne Mullins, Carl-Friedrich Classen, Pediatrics Department, University Hospital Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
Christina Susanne Mullins, Alexander Walter, Michael Linnebacher, Department of General Surgery, Molecular Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
Michael Schmitt, Department Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Author contributions: Mullins CS, Walter A performed most of the experiments; Schmitt M, Classen CF, Linnebacher M planned the study, supervised and discussed the results; Mullins CS, Linnebacher M wrote and revised the manuscript; Classen CF, Schmitt M proofed the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Michael Linnebacher, PhD, Department of General Surgery, Molecular Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital Rostock, Schillingallee 35, 18057 Rostock, Germany. michael.linnebacher@med.uni-rostock.de
Telephone: +49-381-4996043 Fax: +49-381-4996002
Received: August 5, 2013
Revised: October 8, 2013
Accepted: November 1, 2013
Published online: November 27, 2013
Processing time: 115 Days and 2.5 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the expression of tumor-antigens and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-machinery components in glioblastoma multiforme cell lines flow cytometry staining methods were applied.

METHODS: Ten GBM cell lines (three commercially available: U-87 MG, U-138-MG and GMS-10 as well as seven newly established cell lines from individual patients in low-passages: HROG02, HROG04, HROG05, HROG06, HROG10, HROG13 and HROG17) were analyzed for expression of (I) general and (II) GBM-related tumor antigens as well as of (III) components of the MHC machinery by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: All cell lines expressed MHC class I with seven out of the ten being HLA-A02 positive. Four of the seven primary cell lines additionally expressed MHC class II in a constitutive manner. Of note, after interferon gamma (IFN-γ) treatment, all seven cell lines expressed MHC class II. The tumor associated antigens (TAA) EGFR and survivin were expressed at high levels in all cell lines; whereas MART-1, RHAMM, WT-1 and IL-13Rα were expressed by at least half of the cell lines and HER2/neu, MAGE-1 and tyrosinase were expressed only by few cell lines. However, all cell lines expressed at least two of the candidate antigens included into this analysis.

CONCLUSION: No obvious differences between commercially available and newly-established cell lines were observed. Thus, the latter in low-passages are interesting for (therapy-) screening and immunotherapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Tumor antigens; Glioblastoma multiforme; Major histocompatibility complex molecules; Tumor models; Cell lines

Core tip: Expression of tumor-antigens and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-machinery components was analyzed in a series of seven novel low-passage glioblastoma multiforme cell lines by flow cytometry in comparison to three commercially available standard lines. MHC class I was always expressed, MHC class II readily after interferon gamma treatment. All cell lines expressed at least two tumor antigens. No differences between newly-established and commercially available cell lines were observed. Since these novel cell lines are available in low-passages upon request, they are interesting tools for future development of immunotherapeutic strategies, associated screenings and the like.