Interferon-gamma-induced expression of class I HLA antigens on K-562 cells grown in serum-free medium

Human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), encoded in Escherichia coli by recombinant human DNA, induces the expression of HLA antigens in the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell line K-562 grown in serum-free growth medium. Expression was noted in 90% of the cells within 4 days and there was a high density of expression per cell, as determined by cytofluorography. Upon subculture, the cells rapidly lose their ability to express HLA, indicating that the continued presence of IFN-gamma is necessary for the expression. Reinduction of expression with IFN-gamma occurs in a high percentage of cells (up to 90%), which is comparable to the induction in freshly treated control cells.