EZH2 inhibition induces HLA class I re-expression in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

We hypothesized that EZH2 could be involved in immune escape in Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC). In this context, we aimed at evaluating whether EZH2 might contribute to HLA-I expression repression in MCC. To this purpose, we first investigated whether low/lack of HLA-I expression is associated with high H3K27me3 levels in MCC tumor samples. Whole proteome analysis of the PeTa cell line by mass spectrometry after DZNeP treatment (EZH2 inhibitor) revealed upregulation of proteins involved in Fc receptor, as well as antigen processing and presentation pathways components.