Interferon-Dependent Induction of mRNA for the Major Histocompatibility Antigens in Human Fibroblasts and Lymphoblastoid Cells

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 79; no. 10; pp. 3082 - 3086
• Main Authors: Fellous, Marc, Nir, Uri, Wallach, David, Merlin, Gilles, Rubinstein, Menachem, Revel, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 01.05.1982; National Acad Sciences
• Subjects: Antigens; Cell culture techniques; Cell lines; Cells, Cultured; Fibroblasts; HLA antigens; HLA Antigens - genetics; Humans; Interferons; Interferons - pharmacology; K562 cells; Lymphocytes; Major Histocompatibility Complex; Messenger RNA; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; Surface antigens; Transcription, Genetic - drug effects
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.79.10.3082

In human cells treated with interferons, there is an increase in the amount of HLA-A,B,C and β2-microglobulin exposed on the cell surface. We have used a cloned HLA-A,B,C cDNA probe to demonstrate by molecular hybridization that this effect of interferon is preceded by a large increase in the amount of HLA mRNA in the cell. This effect was found in five different human cell lines, with purified leukocyte and fibroblast interferons. The increase in HLA mRNA is comparable in its kinetics and dose-response to the induction of (2′-5′) oligo(A) synthetase mRNA by interferons. Therefore, interferons seem to activate at least two cellular genes which have different biochemical functions.