Helicobacter pylori, a carcinogen, induces the expression of melanoma antigen-encoding gene (Mage)-A3, a cancer/testis antigen

Tumour Biol. 2012 Dec;33(6):1881-7. doi: 10.1007/s13277-012-0448-6. Epub 2012 Jul 7.

Abstract

Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are known to be expressed in various cancer types but are minimally or not expressed in normal tissues except for germline tissues. CTAs are attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy and diagnosis because of their restricted expression. The mechanisms of CTAs expression are unclear because the inducers of CTAs expression remain to be elucidated. We hypothesized that carcinogens may induce the cellular expression of CTAs. To prove this, we attempted to inoculate Helicobacter pylori, a known carcinogen, in Meth-A cells, normal gastric cells, and normal splenocytes and induce the expression of a CTA. Melanoma antigen-encoding gene (Mage)-A3, one of the CTAs, was not expressed in both normal cells but in Meth-A cells inoculated with H. pylori. Furthermore, we performed limiting dilution using Meth-A cells inoculated with H. pylori and established derivative clone from Meth-A designated as Meth-A/pylori/3C3 which permanently express Mage-A3 after excluding H. pylori. We herein report the first successful induction of a CTA in a cell line via exposure to a carcinogenic agent. Furthermore, the establishment of Meth-A/pylori/3C3, which is Meth-A expressing Mage-A3, is considered to contribute to the resolution of the mechanism of CTAs expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Fibrosarcoma / chemically induced
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Helicobacter Infections / metabolism*
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter Infections / virology
  • Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity*
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens / genetics
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Spleen / metabolism*
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Spleen / virology
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Stomach / virology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • RNA, Messenger