Research

Analysis of expression profiles of MAGE-A antigens in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Urs DA Müller-Richter¹ , Albert Dowejko² , Tobias Reuther¹ , Johannes Kleinheinz³ , Torsten E Reichert² and Oliver Driemel²

¹  Dpt of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, 97070 Würzburg, Germany

²  Dpt of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

³  Dpt of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 30, 48149 Münster, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Head & Face Medicine 2009, 5:10doi:10.1186/1746-160X-5-10

Published:	9 April 2009

Abstract

Background

The immunological response to solid tumours is insufficient. Therefore, tumour specific antigens have been explored to facilitate the activation of the immune system. The cancer/testis antigen class of MAGE-A antigens is a possible target for vaccination. Their differential expression profiles also modulate the course of the cancer disease and its response to antineoplastic drugs.

Methods

The expression profiles of MAGE-A2, -A3, -A4, -A6 and -A10 in five own oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were characterised by rt-PCR, qrt-PCR and immunocytochemistry with a global MAGE-A antibody (57B) and compared with those of an adult keratinocyte cell line (NHEK).

Results

All tumour cell lines expressed MAGE-A antigens. The antigens were expressed in groups with different preferences. The predominant antigens expressed were MAGE-A2, -A3 and -A6. MAGE-A10 was not expressed in the cell lines tested. The MAGE-A gene products detected in the adult keratinocyte cell line NHEK were used as a reference.

Conclusion

MAGE-A antigens are expressed in oral squamous cell carcinomas. The expression profiles measured facilitate distinct examinations in forthcoming studies on responses to antineoplastic drugs or radiation therapy. MAGE-A antigens are still an interesting aim for immunotherapy.