The effect of antisense tyrosinase-related protein 1 on melanocytes and malignant melanoma cells

BACKGROUND

Tyrosinase-related proteins (TRPs) include tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2. The functions of tyrosinase and TRP-2 have been determined, but the biological role of TRP-1 is still controversial and is not well known in humans.

OBJECTIVES

To study further the biological role of the human TRP-1 gene in melanocytes and melanoma cells.

METHODS

TRP-1 cDNA was subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 in the reverse direction, and antisense recombinant vector was transfected into melanocytes and a melanoma cell line using Lipofectamine 2000. Positive cells were selected by geneticin. TRP-1 mRNA level was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and TRP-1 protein level by Western blot. Cell cycles were determined by flow cytometry, and the activity of tyrosinase was evaluated by L-DOPA reaction. Light microscopy, electron microscopy and flow cytometry were used to observe cell morphology and apoptosis. For in vivo assays, the antitumour activity of antisense TRP-1 against the malignant melanoma (MM) cell line, Libr, was evaluated in an animal-tumour model of subcutaneous tumours.

RESULTS

Positive transfected cells steadily expressed TRP-1 antisense RNA. RT-PCR and Western blot showed a low level of TRP-1 mRNA and TRP-1 protein, respectively. Cell cycles were blocked in the G1 stage, and the activity of tyrosinase decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Light and electron microscopy showed abnormal cell morphology, and apoptosis was detected. The neoplasia activity of antisense TRP-1-transfected MM cells was significantly lower than that of MM cells (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

TRP-1 plays an important role in the proliferation, morphology and tyrosinase activity of melanocytes and melanoma cells.

Immunopathology of vitiligo vulgaris, Sutton's leukoderma and melanoma-associated vitiligo in relation to steroid effects. I. Circulating antibodies for cultured melanoma cells

Sera of patients with various types of vitiligo have been found to contain circulating antibodies for the cytoplasmic components of human melanoma cell lines. This incidence is high, especially in generalized vitiligo vulgaris with or without Sutton's phenomenon. There is good correlation between the antibodies and positive microsome test, thyroid test, DNA test, as well as the effect of steroid ointment.

Demonstration in situ of "T" cells and "T" cell subsets in lichen planus using monoclonal antibodies

This report describes the in situ demonstration of "T" lymphocytes and "T" lymphocyte subsets in tissue sections using a case of lichen planus as a model. The technique utilized is the indirect immunoperoxidase method with monoclonal antibodies to "T" cells and "T" cell subsets. In the case examined a predominance of helper "T" cells was found. The potential application of this method in the immunopathology of skin and internal organs is discussed.