Cepharanthine Enhances MHC-I Antigen Presentation and Anti-Tumor Immunity in Melanoma via Autophagy Inhibition.

ABSTRACT: Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-mediated antigen presentation plays a pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity by enabling CD8⁺ T cells to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. In melanoma, modulation of this pathway is critical for improving the efficacy of immunotherapies. Our study demonstrates that the natural compound Cepharanthine (CEP) exhibits notable antitumor activity by enhancing MHC-I-mediated antigen presentation. CEP treatment upregulated MHC-I expression (both membrane-bound and total levels) in melanoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby improving antigen-presenting capacity. Interestingly, when autophagy was pharmacologically blocked using Bafilomycin A1, co-treatment with CEP did not lead to further elevation of MHC-I expression,

SUBMITTER: Luo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12384187 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature