Effect of Interferon-γ and TNF-α on MUC1 Mucin Expression in Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines

Abstract

In view of the potential uses of cell surface tumour associated antigens in novel anticancer treatment, a study was designed to investigate whether the biological response modifiers interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) could effect the expression of an epitope on the tumour associated MUC1 epithelial mucin. Four ovarian carcinoma cell lines showing high (OAW42 and GG) and low (JAM and PEO1) basal expression of MUC1 were treated with 10-1000 U/mL of IFN-γ or TNF-α for one or five days. Changes in MUC1 expression in cells exposed to IFN-γ or TNF-α were monitored using an ELISA technique with the monoclonal antibody BC2 which reacts with a core protein epitope on th..