Correlation between <i>HLA-</i> gene expression and the expression of the genes encoding the HLA transcriptional regulators and peptide-loading machinery.

<p>Correlation between <i>HLA-</i> gene expression and the expression of the genes encoding the HLA transcriptional regulators and peptide-loading machinery.</p

Schematic illustration of tumor characteristics and infiltrate.

<p>UM with monosomy 3 attract an infiltrate, producing different cytokines, including Interferon-gamma. The tumor cell (UM cell) responds by increasing HLA class I and II levels, as well as rendering the infiltrating immune cells ineffective (immune suppression) and creating a tumor-favorable environment, with amongst others, stimulation of angiogenesis.</p

Chromosomal aberrations and HLA expression.

<p>Comparison between chromosomal aberrations and the expression of HLA class I and II antigens in a set of 27 primary UM. Tumors are divided according to their chromosome 3 and 6 status (disomy or monosomy of chromosome 3, and disomy of chromosome 6 or gain of 6p). HLA gene expression was determined using an Illumina microarray (A) and protein expression by immunohistochemistry (B) in UM. Additionally, HLA gene expression was determined using qPCR, which served to validate the Illumina findings (C). Four data points of the qPCR that are outside the axis limits (> 11 and < 24) are not shown (HLA-A, D3D6p: 17; HLA-B, D3D6p: 24, and M3D6p: 12; B2M, D3D6p: 13). Only significant p-values are shown, all other comparisons between the groups were not significant (p-values not shown). Error-bars represent the interquartile range. Results were obtained using the Mann-Whitney U tests.</p

Tumor infiltrating immune cells.

<p>Association between a low or high density of tumor-infiltrating CD3+ (A), and CD68+ (B)cells and several HLA and HLA-related genes (Illumina array) in primary UM. CD3 (cells/mm²) and CD68 (pixels x 10³/mm²) scores were dichotomized at the median.</p

Effect of the absence of human leukocytes.

<p>Gene-expression (log 2 intensity values) of HLA-B, HLA-DRA, CD3D (as marker for T-cells), and CD163 (as marker for macrophages), of the original tumors (patient) compared to the xenografts (xeno). MP’s are primary tumors; MM’s are metasisis.</p