Immune response in lung cancer mouse model mimics human anti-Hu reactivity

J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Dec 10;217(1-2):38-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.08.014. Epub 2009 Sep 17.

Abstract

Most patients with paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis/sensory neuronopathy PEM/SN have small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and develop antibodies against neuronal-specific Hu proteins, which are abnormally expressed in the tumor. Anti-Hu reactivity is present in ~16% of SCLC patients without PEM/SN. Here we test the hypothesis that engineered SCLC-prone mice may exhibit anti-Hu reactivity. We show that tumors from SCLC-prone mice misexpress Hu proteins, and 14% of mice harbor anti-Hu antibodies. Mice appear to show reactivity prior to clinical diagnosis of SCLC. This mouse model system will be useful to study SCLC-associated autoimmunity, its diagnostic value, and the potential protective role of oncoantigen-directed autoantibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • ELAV Proteins / genetics
  • ELAV Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Transplantation / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / blood
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / immunology*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / mortality
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Autoantibodies
  • ELAV Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Luciferases