Mapping and expression pattern analysis of key components of the major histocompatibility complex class I antigen processing and presentation pathway in a representative human renal cell carcinoma cell line.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represent approximately 5% of all cancer deaths. At the time of presentation, over 50% of the patients have already developed locally advanced or metastatic disease with five-year survival rates of less than 20%. Although relative resistant to conventional regimens, RCC are partially susceptible to T cell-based immunotherapy. To further develop this treatment modality, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) was applied for both the mapping of the key components of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) and the characterization of the constitutive and cytokine-regulated protein expression profiles in a representative human RCC cell line. The latter aspect is based on the fact, that the expression level of some of the APM components can be altered in response to interferon (IFN)-gamma treatment. Total cell lysates from untreated and IFN-gamma-treated tumor cells were separated on 2-D PAGE gels using broad range immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips. Serial Western blot analyses using sets of APM-specific antibodies were performed to target the relevant protein spots. Protein verification was mostly accomplished via peptide mass finger-printing using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). To date, the majority of the APM-related components have been identified and mapped. In addition, the different protein expression profiles of untreated and IFN-gamma-treated RCC cells are under investigation.