Frequent loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 6p in uveal melanoma

Lack of expression of HLA class I antigens is frequently observed on primary uveal melanoma, and is correlated with improved patient survival. Several mechanisms may contribute to the observed loss of HLA class I expression, including changes at the DNA level. In this study, we used microsatellite analysis as a molecular genetic approach to examine loci on chromosome 6p for loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Three pairs of microsatellite markers were used to screen 20 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded uveal melanomas for LOH on the short arm of chromosome 6. In all cases, normal adjacent scleral tissue was used as a control. We identified LOH in eleven cases from microsatellite locus D6S105 to the telomere, in eight cases from microsatellite locus D6STNFa to the telomere (area includes D6S105), and in seven cases from microsatellite locus D6S291 to the end of chromosome 6p (includes D6STNFa and D6S105). In seven cases, retention of heterozygosity was found at all three loci using these primers. Our results suggest that loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 6p is a common feature in uveal melanoma. We did not find a correlation between the presence of LOH and locus-specific HLA-A and -B expression.