Antigenic modulation and down regulation-their similarities suggest they may have a common origin

Antigenic modulation, the antibody-induced disappearance of membrane-associated determinants of neoplastic cells, has a fundamental similarity to the down regulation of receptors for hormones and other ligands affecting the physiology of various nonneoplastic cell types. After hormone stimulation, cells previously responsive become refractory to further stimulation. Diminution in responsiveness correlates with a quantitative reduction in the numbers of specific complementary hormone receptors present. Murine leukemia cells, as one example "escape" antibody-mediated destruction through the mechanism of antigenic modulation. Resistance of the cells correlates with a reduction of the numbers of specific antigens present. In both down regulation and modulation, continued cellular metabolism in the absence of ligand leads to a re-expression of the hormone receptor/membrane antigen involved. It is postulated that the two phenomena have evolved from similar underlying cellular mechanisms.