Coexpression of Neuronal, Glial, and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Antigens on Retinoblastoma Cells

This study identifies the presence of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on retinoblastoma cells. In addition, the modulation of HLA-DR by interferon-7 as well as the preferential expression of this major histocompatibility complex molecule over HLA-DQ is described. Double labeling experiments revealed that HLA-DR antigen is shared concomitantly with cells of glial and neuronal character. Investigations such as these underscore the possibility that expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens may function as immunological components in the host or play a role in the cellular differentiation of these tumor cells.