Sialoadhesin-Positive Host Macrophages Play an Essential Role in Graft-Versus-Leukemia Reactivity in Mice

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 4375-4386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Müerköster ◽  
Marian Rocha ◽  
Paul R. Crocker ◽  
Volker Schirrmacher ◽  
Victor Umansky
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Class I ◽  
Peptide Epitope ◽  
Peptide Epitopes ◽  
Graft Versus Leukemia

We recently established an effective immune T-cell–mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) murine model system in which complete tumor remissions were achievable even in advanced metastasized cancer. We now describe that this T-cell–mediated therapy is dependent on host macrophages expressing the lymphocyte adhesion molecule sialoadhesin (Sn). Depletion of Kupffer cells in tumor-bearing mice during adoptive immunotherapy (ADI) or the treatment of these animals with anti-Sn monoclonal antibodies led to complete or partial inhibition of the immune T-cell–mediated therapeutic effect. Furthermore, Sn+ host macrophages in livers formed clusters during ADI with donor CD8 T cells. To test for a possible antigen presentation function of these macrophages, we used as an in vitro model the antigen β-galactosidase for which a dominant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I Ld-restricted peptide epitope is known to be recognized by specific CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We demonstrate that purified Sn+ macrophages can process exogenous β-galactosidase and stimulate MHC class I peptide-restricted CTL responses. Thus, Sn+ macrophages, which are significantly increased in the liver after ADI, may process tumor-derived proteins via the MHC class I pathway as well as via the MHC class II pathway, as shown previously, and present respective peptide epitopes to CD8 as well as to CD4 immune T cells, respectively. The synergistic interactions observed before between immune CD4 and CD8 T cells during ADI could thus occur in the observed clusters with Sn+ host macrophages.

Sialoadhesin-Positive Host Macrophages Play an Essential Role in Graft-Versus-Leukemia Reactivity in Mice

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 4375-4386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Müerköster ◽  
Marian Rocha ◽  
Paul R. Crocker ◽  
Volker Schirrmacher ◽  
Victor Umansky
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Class I ◽  
Peptide Epitope ◽  
Peptide Epitopes ◽  
Graft Versus Leukemia

Abstract We recently established an effective immune T-cell–mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) murine model system in which complete tumor remissions were achievable even in advanced metastasized cancer. We now describe that this T-cell–mediated therapy is dependent on host macrophages expressing the lymphocyte adhesion molecule sialoadhesin (Sn). Depletion of Kupffer cells in tumor-bearing mice during adoptive immunotherapy (ADI) or the treatment of these animals with anti-Sn monoclonal antibodies led to complete or partial inhibition of the immune T-cell–mediated therapeutic effect. Furthermore, Sn+ host macrophages in livers formed clusters during ADI with donor CD8 T cells. To test for a possible antigen presentation function of these macrophages, we used as an in vitro model the antigen β-galactosidase for which a dominant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I Ld-restricted peptide epitope is known to be recognized by specific CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We demonstrate that purified Sn+ macrophages can process exogenous β-galactosidase and stimulate MHC class I peptide-restricted CTL responses. Thus, Sn+ macrophages, which are significantly increased in the liver after ADI, may process tumor-derived proteins via the MHC class I pathway as well as via the MHC class II pathway, as shown previously, and present respective peptide epitopes to CD8 as well as to CD4 immune T cells, respectively. The synergistic interactions observed before between immune CD4 and CD8 T cells during ADI could thus occur in the observed clusters with Sn+ host macrophages.

scholarly journals The natural immune response to inhaled soluble protein antigens involves major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD8+ T cell-mediated but MHC class II-restricted CD4+ T cell-dependent immune deviation resulting in selective suppression of immunoglobulin E production.

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (3) ◽  
pp. 889-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
C McMenamin ◽  
P G Holt
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Class I

The immunological basis for atopy is currently ascribed to an inherent bias in the CD4+ T cell response to nonreplicating antigens presented at mucosal surfaces, resulting in dominance of the T helper 2 (Th2) interleukin 4 (IL-4)-producing phenotype, which favors IgE production. In contrast, the "normal" response to such antigens involves a predominance of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing Th1 clones. This difference has been suggested to be the result of active selection in atopics for Th2 (and hence against Th1) clones at the time of initial antigen presentation. In the study below, we demonstrate that the natural immune response to inhaled protein antigens, particularly in animals expressing the low immunoglobulin E (IgE) responder phenotype, includes a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD8+ T cell component, the appearance of which is associated with active suppression of IgE antibody production. Thus, continued exposure of rats to aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) antigen elicits a transient IgE response, that is terminated by the onset of a state of apparent "tolerance" to further challenge, and this tolerant state is transferable to naive animals with CD8+ T cells. Kinetic studies on in vitro T cell reactivity in these aerosol-exposed rats demonstrated biphasic CD4+ Th2 responses which terminated, together with IgE antibody production, and coincident with the appearance of MHC class I-restricted OVA-specific IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells. However, the latter were not autonomous in vitro and required a source of exogenous IL-2 for initial activation, which in CD(8+)-enriched splenocyte cultures could be provided by small numbers of contaminating OVA-specific CD4+ T cells. This represents the first formal evidence for the induction of an MHC class I-restricted T cell response to natural mucosal exposure to an inert protein antigen, and is consistent with a growing literature demonstrating sensitization of MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T cells by deliberate immunization with soluble proteins. We suggest that crossregulation of MHC class II-restricted CD4+ T cells via cytokine signals generated in parallel CD8+ T cell responses represents a covert and potentially important selection pressure that can shape the nature of host responses to nonreplicating antigens presented at mucosal surfaces.

Double Loading of Dendritic Cell MHC Class I and MHC Class II with an AML Antigen Repertoire Enhances Primary and Secondary T-Cell Responses In Vitro.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2529-2529
Author(s):  
William K. Decker ◽  
Dongxia Xing ◽  
Sufang Li ◽  
Simon N. Robinson ◽  
Hong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Class I ◽  
Cross Presentation ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Despite improvements in therapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a significant percentage of patients still relapse and succumb to their disease. Dendritic cell immunotherapy offers the promise of potentially effective supportive therapy for a variety of neoplastic conditions; and the use of DCs loaded with tumor antigens is now recognized as an important investigational therapy. Though a variety of methods have been used to load DC vaccines, the loading of the MHC class II compartment with tumor lysate has predominated. The priming of a class II-mediated (CD4) T-cell response may be crucial to the success of DC immunotherapy as such a response is likely required for the development of memory CD8+ T-cells. DC cross-presentation is credited with the ability of lysate-loaded DCs to prime both CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses, enabling the generation of CD8+ CTLs without the loading of the MHC class I compartment (i.e. the cytoplasm). Recently, however, several reports have raised doubts as to the efficiency of cross-presentation as a mechanism for CTL priming in vivo. To examine this issue, we have loaded human DCs with both AML tumor lysate and mRNA. This technique allows the full repertoire of class I antigens to be presented without dependence upon cross-presentation; and, moreover, provides a full complement of class II antigens necessary for CD4 T-cell priming and the generation of memory responses. Methods: CD14+ precursors were isolated from normal donor PBPCs by magnetic separation. Immature DCs were then generated by culturing precursors for six days in GM-CSF and IL-4. Lysate was produced by three successive freeze/thaw cycles of blasts. mRNA was extracted from blasts using Trizol and oligo-dT separation. Immature DCs were pulsed for three hours with AML lysate and subsequently electroporated with AML mRNA. Loaded DCs were matured for 48 hours with IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2 and then used to prime autologous T-cells. Short-term responses were assayed on day 5 of the 1st stimulation. Memory responses were assayed on day 10 of a tertiary stimulation. Results: Doubly-loaded DCs can prime a superior T-cell response in vitro in comparison to that of singly-loaded DCs, demonstrating a 30–70% increase in IFN-γ ELISpots over lysate-loaded DCs (p<0.001) and a 3–4 fold increase in ELISpots in comparison to mRNA loaded DCs (p<0.001). These results were verified by flow cytometry which showed 35% of CD8+ T-cells primed by doubly-loaded DCs were CD69+/IFN-γ+ vs. 14% of CD8+ T-cells primed by lysate-loaded DCs (p<0.001). This enhancement may be based upon both an upregulation of CD83 surface expression (p<0.0019) of doubly-loaded DCs and/or the upregulation of B7.1/B7.2 that accompanies elevated CD40L signaling. Memory responses were also greatly improved, with a 126% increase in total ELISpots (double loaded DCs versus lysate loaded DCs; p<0.03) and a 187% increase in total IFN-γ secretion (p<0.03). Unloaded (p<0.01) and mRNA (p<0.007) loaded DCs exhibited a virtual inability to generate memory T-cells in vitro, suggesting that the perpetuation of the memory response is reliant upon T-cell help. Conclusion: DCs doubly-loaded with lysate and mRNA are more efficient in the generation of primary and secondary immune responses than are singly-loaded DCs. The clinical administration of such doubly-loaded DCs may offer an important therapeutic option to patients with AML.

T Cell Responses to AAV Vector Capsid Limit the Duration of Transgene Expression in Humans after Liver-Directed Gene Therapy.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3055-3055
Author(s):  
Federico Mingozzi ◽  
Marcela V. Maus ◽  
Denise E. Sabatino ◽  
Daniel Hui ◽  
Catherine S. Manno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Gene Therapy ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Transgene Expression ◽  
Class I ◽  
Homologous Peptide

Abstract In a Phase I/II study of gene transfer for hemophilia B, an adeno-associated viral vector serotype 2 (AAV2) was introduced into the liver of human subjects and therapeutic levels of transgene expression (up to 11% of normal) were reached in one subject. However, the duration of gene expression was limited; four weeks after infusion, levels of circulating factor IX (F.IX) began to decline, and returned to baseline by week 10. This phenomenon was accompanied by a mild, self-limited, increase in liver enzymes (transaminitis). After a similar phenomenon was observed in another subject, the clinical trial was halted. One hypothesis for the loss of transgene expression is that immune mediated destruction of transduced hepatocytes caused the delayed rise in transaminases and loss of F.IX expression. IFNγ ELISpot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from subjects in the clinical study and from normal donors, and bioinformatics tools for the prediction of MHC class I binders, were used to define two possible MHC Class I-restricted T cell epitopes for two HLA types common in the general population (B*0702 and B*0801). We then designed MHC class I epitope-specific pentamers for the detection and study of CD8+ T cells reacting to the predicted AAV2 capsid epitopes. Indeed, in the two subjects who developed transaminitis after vector infusion, AAV-specific CD8+ T cells were detected by pentamer staining of PBMCs up to two years later. In contrast, normal donors rarely had detectable AAV-specific CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood; even after several rounds of in vitro stimulation with vector capsid antigens, we often did not find AAV-specific CD8+ T cells by pentamer staining. We also performed functional assays, including intracellular cytokine staining (ICCS) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assays, on expanded AAV-specific T cells from one of the subjects in the clinical trial. An Epstein-Barr-virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) derived from an HLA-matched donor was incubated with an AAV2 epitope, with the homologous peptide from the AAV-8 capsid sequence, or with a known HIV gag that is also HLA B*0702 restricted. Similarly to what observed in mice (Sabatino et al., unpublished), we found that IFNγ was specifically produced when the expanded T cells were stimulated with AAV antigens of both serotype 2 and serotype 8, but not with the HIV gag epitope, in the context of HLA B*0702. Peptide-loaded LCLs were used as targets in a CTL assay and incubated with in vitro expanded T cells (effectors). Specific lysis was observed at an effector-target ratio of 100:1 for the AAV2 epitope and for the homologous peptide from the AAV8 capsid. Together, these data provide direct evidence that humans can mount a cytotoxic immune response to AAV capsid proteins. This T cell response may account for the limited duration of transgene expression that we have observed in our clinical study. Moreover, the use of alternate serotypes may not easily avoid this immune response, as T cells from subjects infused with AAV2 showed functional responses to AAV8-derived peptides by both ICCS and CTL assays. We conclude that the use of immunomodulatory therapy may be a better approach to ensure durable transgene expression in the setting of liver-directed gene therapy.

scholarly journals Cytotoxicity Is Mandatory for CD8+ T Cell–mediated Contact Hypersensitivity

1999 ◽  
Vol 189 (5) ◽  
pp. 779-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Kehren ◽  
Cyril Desvignes ◽  
Maya Krasteva ◽  
Marie-Thérèse Ducluzeau ◽  
Olga Assossou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cytotoxic Activity ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Skin Inflammation ◽  
Contact Hypersensitivity ◽  
Class I ◽  
Specific Ctls

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a T cell–mediated skin inflammation induced by epicutaneous exposure to haptens in sensitized individuals. We have previously reported that CHS to dinitrofluorobenzene in mice is mediated by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I–restricted CD8+ T cells. In this study, we show that CD8+ T cells mediate the skin inflammation through their cytotoxic activity. The contribution of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to the CHS reaction was examined both in vivo and in vitro, using mice deficient in perforin and/or Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) pathways involved in cytotoxicity. Mice double deficient in perforin and FasL were able to develop hapten-specific CD8+ T cells in the lymphoid organs but did not show CHS reaction. However, they did not generate hapten-specific CTLs, demonstrating that the CHS reaction is dependent on cytotoxic activity. In contrast, Fas-deficient lpr mice, FasL-deficient gld mice, and perforin-deficient mice developed a normal CHS reaction and were able to generate hapten-specific CTLs, suggesting that CHS requires either the Fas/FasL or the perforin pathway. This was confirmed by in vitro studies showing that the hapten-specific CTL activity was exclusively mediated by MHC class I–restricted CD8+ T cells which could use either the perforin or the Fas/FasL pathway for their lytic activity. Thus, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, commonly implicated in the host defence against tumors and viral infections, could also mediate harmful delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.

scholarly journals A new in vitro model of polymyositis reveals CD8+ T cell invasion into muscle cells and its cytotoxic role

Rheumatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-232
Author(s):  
Mari Kamiya ◽  
Fumitaka Mizoguchi ◽  
Akito Takamura ◽  
Naoki Kimura ◽  
Kimito Kawahata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Muscle Injury ◽  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Class I ◽  
Vitro Model

Abstract Objectives The hallmark histopathology of PM is the presence of CD8+ T cells in the non-necrotic muscle cells. The aim of this study was to clarify the pathological significance of CD8+ T cells in muscle cells. Methods C2C12 cells were transduced retrovirally with the genes encoding MHC class I (H2Kb) and SIINFEKL peptide derived from ovalbumin (OVA), and then differentiated to myotubes (H2KbOVA-myotubes). H2KbOVA-myotubes were co-cultured with OT-I CD8+ T cells derived from OVA-specific class I restricted T cell receptor transgenic mice as an in vitro model of PM to examine whether the CD8+ T cells invade into the myotubes and if the myotubes with the invasion are more prone to die than those without. Muscle biopsy samples from patients with PM were examined for the presence of CD8+ T cells in muscle cells. The clinical profiles were compared between the patients with and without CD8+ T cells in muscle cells. Results Analysis of the in vitro model of PM with confocal microscopy demonstrated the invasion of OT-I CD8+ T cells into H2KbOVA-myotubes. Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed an electron-lucent area between the invaded CD8+ T cell and the cytoplasm of H2KbOVA-myotubes. The myotubes invaded with OT-I CD8+ T cells died earlier than the uninvaded myotubes. The level of serum creatinine kinase was higher in patients with CD8+ T cells in muscle cells than those without these cells. Conclusion CD8+ T cells invade into muscle cells and contribute to muscle injury in PM. Our in vitro model of PM is useful to examine the mechanisms underlying muscle injury induced by CD8+ T cells.

scholarly journals A Class II-Restricted CD8γ13 T-Cell Clone Protects During Chlamydia muridarum Genital Tract Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 221 (11) ◽  
pp. 1895-1906
Author(s):  
Raymond M Johnson ◽  
Norma Olivares-Strank ◽  
Gang Peng
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Class I ◽  
T Cell Clone ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background The T-cell response to chlamydia genital tract infections in humans and mice is unusual because the majority of antigen-specific CD8 T cells are not class I restricted (referred to here as “unrestricted” or “atypical”). We previously reported that a subset of unrestricted murine chlamydia-specific CD8 T cells had a cytokine polarization pattern that included interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-13. Methods In this study, we investigated the transcriptome of CD8γ13 T cells, comparing them to Tc1 clones using microarray analysis. That study revealed that CD8γ13 polarization included IL-5 in addition to IFN-γ and IL-13. Adoptive transfer studies were performed with Tc1 clones and a CD8γ13 T-cell clone to determine whether either influenced bacterial clearance or immunopathology during Chlamydia muridarum genital tract infections. Results To our surprise, an adoptively transferred CD8γ13 T-cell clone was remarkably proficient at preventing chlamydia immunopathology, whereas the multifunctional Tc1 clone did not enhance clearance or significantly alter immunopathology. Mapping studies with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I- and class II-deficient splenocytes showed our previously published chlamydia-specific CD8 T-cell clones are MHC class II restricted. Conclusions The MHC class II-restricted CD8 T cells may play an important role in protection from intracellular pathogens that limit class I antigen presentation or diminish CD4 T-cell numbers or impair their function.

scholarly journals Efficient Targeting of Protein Antigen to the Dendritic Cell Receptor DEC-205 in the Steady State Leads to Antigen Presentation on Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Products and Peripheral CD8+ T Cell Tolerance

2002 ◽  
Vol 196 (12) ◽  
pp. 1627-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Bonifaz ◽  
David Bonnyay ◽  
Karsten Mahnke ◽  
Miguel Rivera ◽  
Michel C. Nussenzweig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Steady State ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Class I ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Dc Maturation

To identify endocytic receptors that allow dendritic cells (DCs) to capture and present antigens on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I products in vivo, we evaluated DEC-205, which is abundant on DCs in lymphoid tissues. Ovalbumin (OVA) protein, when chemically coupled to monoclonal αDEC-205 antibody, was presented by CD11c+ lymph node DCs, but not by CD11c− cells, to OVA-specific, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Receptor-mediated presentation was at least 400 times more efficient than unconjugated OVA and, for MHC class I, the DCs had to express transporter of antigenic peptides (TAP) transporters. When αDEC-205:OVA was injected subcutaneously, OVA protein was identified over a 4–48 h period in DCs, primarily in the lymph nodes draining the injection site. In vivo, the OVA protein was selectively presented by DCs to TCR transgenic CD8+ cells, again at least 400 times more effectively than soluble OVA and in a TAP-dependent fashion. Targeting of αDEC-205:OVA to DCs in the steady state initially induced 4–7 cycles of T cell division, but the T cells were then deleted and the mice became specifically unresponsive to rechallenge with OVA in complete Freund's adjuvant. In contrast, simultaneous delivery of a DC maturation stimulus via CD40, together with αDEC-205:OVA, induced strong immunity. The CD8+ T cells responding in the presence of agonistic αCD40 antibody produced large amounts of interleukin 2 and interferon γ, acquired cytolytic function in vivo, emigrated in large numbers to the lung, and responded vigorously to OVA rechallenge. Therefore, DEC-205 provides an efficient receptor-based mechanism for DCs to process proteins for MHC class I presentation in vivo, leading to tolerance in the steady state and immunity after DC maturation.

Human T Cells with Distinct Specificities Mediate Graft-Versus-Leukemia Reactivity and Xenogeneic Graft-Versus-Host Disease in a NOD/Scid Mouse Model for Human Acute Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1330-1330
Author(s):  
Sanja Stevanovic ◽  
Bart Nijmeijer ◽  
Marianke LJ Van Schie ◽  
Roelof Willemze ◽  
Marieke Griffioen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Class I ◽  
T Cell Clones ◽  
Cell Clones ◽  
Human T Cells

Abstract Abstract 1330 Poster Board I-352 Immunodeficient mice inoculated with human leukemia can be used as a model to investigate Graft-versus-Leukemia (GvL) effects of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs). In addition to GvL reactivity, treatment with DLI induces xenogeneic Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) in mice, characterized by pancytopenia and weight loss. In patients treated with DLI for relapsed or residual leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, immune responses against non-leukemic cells may also cause GvHD. It has been suggested that GvL reactivity and GvHD, which co-develop in vivo, can be separated and that distinct T cells exist with the specific capacity to mediate GvL reactivity or GvHD. Since adoptive T cell transfer models that allow analysis of separation of GvL and GvHD are rare, we aimed to establish whether GvL reactivity and xenogeneic GvHD could be separated using our model of human leukemia-engrafted NOD/scid mouse after treatment with human donor T cells. In this study, non-conditioned NOD/scid mice engrafted with primary human acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells were treated with CD3+ DLI. Established tumors were effectively eliminated by emerging human T cells, but also induced xenogeneic GvHD. Flowcytometric analysis demonstrated that the majority of emerging CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were activated (HLA-DR+) and expressed an effector memory phenotype (CD45RA-CD45RO+CCR7-). To investigate whether GvL reactivity and xenogeneic GvHD were mediated by the same T cells showing reactivity against both human leukemic and murine cells, or displaying distinct reactivity against human leukemic and murine cells, we clonally isolated and characterized the T cells during the GvL response and xenogeneic GvHD. T cell clones were analyzed for reactivity against primary human leukemic cells and primary NOD/scid hematopoietic (BM and spleen cells) and non-hematopoietic (skin fibroblasts) cells in IFN-g ELISA. Isolated CD8+ and CD4+ T cell clones were shown to recognize either human leukemic or murine cells, indicating that GvL response and xenogeneic GvHD were mediated by different human T cells. Flowcytometric analysis demonstrated that all BM and spleen cells expressed MHC class I, whereas only 1-3 % of the cells were MHC class II +. Primary skin fibroblasts displayed low MHC class I and completely lacked MHC class II expression. Xeno-reactive CD8+ T cell clones were shown to recognize all MHC class I + target cells and xeno-reactive CD4+ T cells clones displayed reactivity only against MHC class II + target cells. To determine the MHC restriction of xeno-reactive T cell clones, NOD/scid bone marrow (BM) derived dendritic cells (DC) expressing high levels of murine MHC class I and class II were tested for T cell recognition in the presence or absence of murine MHC class I and class II monoclonal antibodies in IFN-g ELISA. Xeno-reactive CD8+ T cell clones were shown to be MHC class I (H-2Kd or H-2Db) restricted, whereas xeno-reactive CD4+ T cell clones were MHC class II (I-Ag7) restricted, indicating that xeno-reactivity reflects genuine human T cell response directed against allo-antigens present on murine cells. Despite production of high levels of IFN-gamma, xeno-reactive CD8+ and CD4+ T cell clones failed to exert cytolytic activity against murine DC, as determined in a 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay. Absence of cytolysis by CD8+ T cell clones, which are generally considered as potent effector cells, may be explained by low avidity interaction between human T cells and murine DC, since flowcytometric analysis revealed sub-optimal activation of T cells as measured by CD137 expression and T cell receptor downregulation upon co-culture with murine DC, and therefore these results indicate that xenogeneic GvHD in this model is likely to be mediated by cytokines. In conclusion, in leukemia-engrafted NOD/scid mice treated with CD3+ DLI, we show that GvL reactivity and xenogeneic GvHD are mediated by separate human T cells with distinct specificities. All xeno-reactive T cell clones showed genuine recognition of MHC class I or class II associated allo-antigens on murine cells similar as GvHD-inducing human T cells. These data suggest that our NOD/scid mouse model of human acute leukemia may be valuable for studying the effectiveness and specificity of selectively enriched or depleted T cells for adoptive immunotherapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document