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University of Maryland Baltimore County other research news

December 8, 2008 8:00 AM UTC

University researchers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the ability of tumor cells transfected with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes to present endogenous antigen and induce tumor-specific immunity. Expression of MHC class II genes in tumor cells is intended to cause the tumor cells to present antigens to CD4+ T helper lymphocytes directly, without intermediate antigen-presenting cells or soluble antigen, and stimulate an immune response against the tumor cells.

Sarcoma cells were transfected with MHC class II genes or MHC class II genes plus MHC class II-associated molecules such as invariant (Ii) chain and DM. A total of 106 transfected cells of each type were injected intraperitoneally into normal mice. ...