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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Testing Cancer Immunotherapeutics in a Humanized Mouse Model Bearing Human Tumors
Published on: December 16, 2022
No expression of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in colorectal cancer cells
Kawin Leelawat1, Surang Engprasert, Urai Pongchai-rerk
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand. kawin@tubtim.cri.or.th
Abstract:
Although there is a specific antitumor immune response in the body, colorectal cancer cells progressively develop. This fact indicated that the cancer cells could have a variety of mechanisms to evade or escape the immune system. HLA-G is identified to inhibit the recognition of NK-cell in various kinds of cancers. This study investigated the expression of HLA-G in colorectal cancer. Eighty five specimens of colorectal cancer, carcinoma in situ and adenomatous polyp were examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for the detection of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G The expression of HLA-G was not found in all colorectal specimens (85/85) both protein level and transcription level, suggesting that the expression of HLA-G is not a possible immune evasion mechanism of colorectal cancer cell.
Insights
Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) expression was investigated in colorectal cancer. This study found no evidence of HLA-G at the protein or transcription level in any colorectal specimens, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) progresses despite the body's antitumor immune response.
- Cancer cells employ immune evasion mechanisms to escape immune surveillance.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is known to inhibit Natural Killer (NK) cell recognition in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of HLA-G in colorectal cancer tissues.
- To determine if HLA-G is involved in immune evasion in colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were used.
- Eighty-five specimens including colorectal cancer, carcinoma in situ, and adenomatous polyps were analyzed.
- Detection of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G at both protein and transcription levels.
Main Results:
- HLA-G expression was not detected in any of the 85 colorectal specimens examined.
- Absence of HLA-G was confirmed at both the protein and transcriptional levels.
- No correlation between HLA-G expression and colorectal cancer, carcinoma in situ, or adenomatous polyps was observed.
Conclusions:
- The expression of HLA-G is not a significant immune evasion mechanism in colorectal cancer.
- These findings suggest that other pathways are responsible for immune escape in colorectal cancer.
- Further research is needed to elucidate alternative immune evasion strategies employed by colorectal cancer cells.