430— IFNγ and 5-Aza Drug Effects on HLA Expression in Human Leukemia and Epidermoid Carcinoma

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) is a gene that codes for cell-surface proteins that are the basis of our bodies’ immune response, and are crucial for the combatting of pathogens or infections. For our experiment we observed two cell lines, a human Leukemia cell line (HL-60), and an epidermoid carcinoma cell line A-431. Our purpose for this experiment was to observe the effects of two drugs as well as the combination of them on the expression of HLA antigens in these cancerous cell lines. The drugs being used in this experiment are Gamma interferon, which is known to increase antigen presentation and 5-azacitidine which is known to have anti-cancer actions. The data collected suggests that in A-431 cells, interferon and 5-aza both upregulate HLA expression, however the combination appears to diminish these effects. It also suggests that in HL-60 cells Interferon and 5-aza separately also upregulate HLA-expression and also upregulate HLA together however no more than individually.