[Expression of HLA-class I and II antigens on basal cell carcinoma]

Sixteen cases of Basal Cell Carcinoma have been tested with monoclonal antibodies to HLA-class I, beta 2-microglobulin, HLA-DR, DP and DQ antigens immunohistochemically using frozen tissues. HLA-class I antigens were expressed weakly on BCC in thirteen and fifteen out of sixteen cases using two different monoclonal antibodies respectively. beta 2-microglobulin was expressed differently with the same intensity as normal epidermis in 6 cases, weaker than normal epidermis in 8 cases and absent in 2 cases. There is no correlation with the expression of HLA-class I between histological type and lymphocyte infiltration. On the other hand, HLA-DR, DP and DQ antigens were positive in 4, 3 and 3 cases respectively. But the percentage of positive cells for HLA-class II were only 1-2%. The expression of HLA-DR antigen was most strongest among HLA-class II antigens.