Submission Type

Poster

Start Date

4-26-2021

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of proteins coded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and is a vital part of the human immune response. HLA allows abnormal cells to be destroyed by cytotoxic T-cells by presenting antigens to the cell surface. In tumors, however, there is diminished HLA expression, allowing cells to bypass the immune system. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various drug epigenetic modifiers on HLA expression in MDA-MB-231 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. HLA expression was compared between control and drug treatments using flow cytometry. Initial results found that HLA-ABC expression is increased in cells treated individually with the drugs 5-Azacytidine and Vorinostat. We are continuing to test combinations of these drugs, along with the addition of gamma-Interferon, an immune cytokine known to upregulate HLA-ABC expression. Furthermore, we would like to study how two other HLA proteins, HLA-E and HLA-G, can be affected by these epigenetic modifiers. Effective increases in HLA expression can be beneficial to cancer immunotherapy.

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Sponsored by Robert O'Donnell

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Apr 26th, 12:00 AM

242— Effects of Epigenetic Modifiers on HLA-ABC in a Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of proteins coded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and is a vital part of the human immune response. HLA allows abnormal cells to be destroyed by cytotoxic T-cells by presenting antigens to the cell surface. In tumors, however, there is diminished HLA expression, allowing cells to bypass the immune system. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various drug epigenetic modifiers on HLA expression in MDA-MB-231 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. HLA expression was compared between control and drug treatments using flow cytometry. Initial results found that HLA-ABC expression is increased in cells treated individually with the drugs 5-Azacytidine and Vorinostat. We are continuing to test combinations of these drugs, along with the addition of gamma-Interferon, an immune cytokine known to upregulate HLA-ABC expression. Furthermore, we would like to study how two other HLA proteins, HLA-E and HLA-G, can be affected by these epigenetic modifiers. Effective increases in HLA expression can be beneficial to cancer immunotherapy.

 

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