The MHC class-II and CD44 molecules are involved in the induction of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) gene expression by human monocytes stimulated with tumour cells.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) mRNA is detected in the macrophage infiltrate surrounding the tumour, but the cellular/molecular interactions leading to TNF gene expression in macrophages are unknown. The in vitro system in which human blood monocytes are stimulated with human cancer cells for TNF release was used to study such interactions. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against various adhesion molecules (LFA-1, LFA-3, ICAM-1, VNR, VLA beta I chain) were unable to block TNF production in co-culture of monocytes with a human pancreatic carcinoma (HPC) cell line. However, anti-CD44 and anti-HLA-DR MAbs effectively blocked TNF release and TNF-mRNA induction in monocytes. Pre-incubation of monocytes with anti-HLA-DR and tumour cells with anti-CD44 MAbs had a similar effect. It was concluded that CD44 molecules are involved in tumour-monocyte interactions and that HLA-DR determinants of monocytes are engaged in signal transduction for TNF gene activation. These findings may suggest that certain surface determinants of tumour cells act as ligands for MHC class-II molecules and induce TNF production in monocytes.