Antigenic changes in nonhistone proteins during azo dye hepatocarcinogenesis.

We have investigated the appearance of specific nonhistone proteins during azo dye-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat. Groups of animals fed azo dye-containing diet were sacrificed at approximately 3-week intervals, portions of their livers were examined histologically, and the remaining material was fractionated into chromatin and cytoplasmic fractions. Livers of the azo dye-fed animals exhibited histological changes that have been classically attributed to the course and development of cancer; by 28 to 30 weeks of treatment, nearly all animals had developed hepatomas. Heterogeneous rabbit antisera were prepared to dehistonized chromatin from several azo dye-induced hepatomas. These antisera were then used to assess various chromatins for the appearance of antigens specific for neoplasia during inducing carcinogenesis using immunodetection of antigens separated electrophoretically and transferred to nitrocellulose. Changes in the immunoreactivity of liver chromosomal proteins during carcinogen treatment were evident after 3 weeks, and the antigenic profiles of various chromatin samples gradually assumed the characteristics of the hepatoma. The transformation was accompanied by qualitative changes in chromosomal protein antigens, and although these antigenic species were not directly quantitated, noticeable enrichment of tumor-specific species occurred with treatment time. Immunotransfer assays of cytoplasmic fractions indicated most antigens to be specific for chromatin. Normal tissue chromatin exhibited minimal immunoreactivity, and slightly more antigenic homology was noted with regenerating liver and most transplantable tumor chromatins. Interestingly, the transplantable tumor Walker 256 carcinosarcoma was highly enriched in antigens recognized by antisera to azo dye hepatoma dehistonized chromatin. These studies establish a define chronological correlation between the chemical induction of cancer and sequential changes in the immunological specificity of nonhistone protein antigens.