Regeneration and tolerance factor: a novel mediator of glioblastoma-associated immunosuppression

Cancer Res. 2006 Apr 1;66(7):3852-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-3062.

Abstract

Regeneration and tolerance factor (RTF) was originally identified in placenta where it is thought to be essential for fetal allograft survival. Here we report that RTF mRNA and protein are also expressed in human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Suppression of RTF expression by RNA interference promotes the lysis of glioma cells by natural killer (NK) and T cells in vitro. Moreover, RTF-depleted glioma cells are less tumorigenic than control cells in nude mice in vivo. Depletion of NK cells in these animals abolished this effect. RTF is thus a novel aberrantly expressed molecule which confers immune privilege to human malignant gliomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / immunology*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / biosynthesis
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Transfection
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Regeneration and tolerance factor, human
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic