Effects of CIITA antisense RNA on the expression of HLA class II molecules

To study the effect of the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) transactivator (CIITA) antisense RNA on the expression of the human leukemia (HLA) class II molecules, 5′ end cDNA sequence of CIITA gene was cloned, and antisense RNA expression vector pcDNA-II was constructed. HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA-II and pcDNA3 were induced by IFN-γ for 3 d. The expression of HLA class II molecules on HeLa/pcDNA-II cells was significantly decreased, while it has no effect on the expression of HLA class I molecules. This result suggests that the CIITA antisense RNA can inhibit the expression of HLA class II molecules in HeLa cells. It also implies a promising approach to generate immune tolerance in graft transplantation.