The effect of ethanol on the expression of HLA class I genes in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines.

The loss of HLA antigens by neoplastic cells may allow tumors to escape immune surveillance. We observed reduced expression of HLA antigens during human colon carcinogenesis. Since ethanol, which is associated with human colonic carcinogenesis, modulates the expression of HLA genes, we examined whether it affects the expression of HLA class I genes in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Ethanol (1.7 x 10(-10) M to 1.7 x 10(-1) M), had no effect on the expression of HLA class I antigens on these colonocytes, the corresponding mRNA levels, or the expression of HLA constructs. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that ethanol may modulate the expression of HLA class I genes in human colon cancer cells.