Fourier transform infrared imaging as a method for detection of HLA class I expression in melanoma without the use of antibody

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression in melanoma is usually assessed using immunohistochemical staining. Here we report on the use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) hyperspectral imaging, a method widely used in two-dimensional analysis of chemical components, to study HLA class I expression in tissue. Two-dimensional cluster colour images derived from unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of FTIR hyperspectral data on melanoma sections were compared with consecutive sections that were immunohistochemically stained for class I expression. HLA-class-I-positive and -negative areas were differentiated by FTIR cluster images in all eight melanoma sections investigated without..