PLoS ONE (Jan 2011)

Serum soluble HLA-E in melanoma: a new potential immune-related marker in cancer.

  • Mathilde Allard,
  • Romain Oger,
  • Virginie Vignard,
  • Jean-Michel Percier,
  • Giulia Fregni,
  • Aurélie Périer,
  • Anne Caignard,
  • Béatrice Charreau,
  • Karine Bernardeau,
  • Amir Khammari,
  • Brigitte Dréno,
  • Nadine Gervois

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0021118
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 6
p. e21118

Abstract

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BackgroundTumor-derived soluble factors, including soluble HLA molecules, can contribute to cancer immune escape and therefore impact on clinical course of malignant diseases. We previously reported that melanoma cells produce, in vitro, soluble forms of the non-classical MHC class I molecule HLA-E (sHLA-E). In order to investigate sHLA-E production by various tumors and to address its potential value as a tumor-associated marker, we developed a specific ELISA for the quantification of sHLA-E in biological fluids.Methodology/principal findingsWe developed a sHLA-E specific and sensitive ELISA and we showed that serum sHLA-E levels were significantly elevated (PConclusions/significanceIn view of the broad tumor tissue release of HLA-E and its up-regulation by inflammatory cytokines, sHLA-E should be studied for its involvement in immune responses against tumors. Interestingly, our results demonstrated a positive association between the presence of serum sHLA-E and melanoma. Therefore, the determination of sHLA-E levels, using ELISA approach, may be investigated as a clinical marker in cancer patients.