scholarly journals Activation and Proliferation of PD-1+ Kidney Double-Negative T Cells Is Dependent on Nonclassical MHC Proteins and IL-2

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohanraj Sadasivam ◽  
Sanjeev Noel ◽  
Sul A. Lee ◽  
Jing Gong ◽  
Mohamad E. Allaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Sterile Inflammation ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Class I ◽  
Double Negative

BackgroundCD4− CD8− double-negative (DN) αβ T cells with innate-like properties represent a significant component of T cells in human and mouse kidneys. They spontaneously proliferate in the steady state and protect against ischemic AKI. However, the mechanisms regulating DN T cell homeostasis and responses to external danger signals from “sterile” inflammation remain poorly understood.MethodsWe used knockout mice, functional assays, and an established ischemic AKI model to investigate the role of various MHC class I and II molecules in regulating kidney DN T cells. We also studied human nephrectomy samples.ResultsDeficiency of β2m-dependent MHC class I (but not MHC class II) molecules led to significant reduction in frequency or absolute numbers of kidney DN T cells due to impaired activation, proliferation, increased apoptosis, and loss of an NK1.1+ subset of DN T cells. The remaining DN T cells in β2m knockout mice mainly comprised a programmed cell death protein-1 receptor (PD-1+) subset that depends on IL-2 provided by conventional T cells for optimal homeostasis. However, this PD-1+ subset remained highly responsive to changes in milieu, demonstrated by responses to infused lymphocytes. It was also the major responder to ischemic AKI; the NK1.1+ subset and CD8+ T cells had minimal responses. We found both DN T cell subsets in normal and cancerous human kidneys, indicating possible clinical relevance.ConclusionsDN T cells, a unique population of kidney T cells, depend on nonclassical β2m molecules for homeostasis and use MHC-independent mechanisms to respond to external stimuli. These results have important implications for understanding the role these cells play during AKI and other immune cell–mediated kidney diseases.

scholarly journals T Cells Cause Acute Immunopathology and Are Required for Long-Term Survival in Mouse Adenovirus Type 1-Induced Encephalomyelitis

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (18) ◽  
pp. 10060-10070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Moore ◽  
Corrie C. Brown ◽  
Katherine R. Spindler
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Adenovirus Type ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Class I ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice

ABSTRACT Infection of adult C57BL/6 (B6) mice with mouse adenovirus type 1 (MAV-1) results in dose-dependent encephalomyelitis. Utilizing immunodeficient mice, we analyzed the roles of T cells, T-cell subsets, and T-cell-related functions in MAV-1-induced encephalomyelitis. T cells, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, and perforin contributed to acute disease signs at 8 days postinfection (p.i.). Acute MAV-1-induced encephalomyelitis was absent in mice lacking T cells and in mice lacking perforin. Mice lacking α/β T cells had higher levels of infectious MAV-1 at 8 days, 21 days, and 12 weeks p.i., and these mice succumbed to MAV-1-induced encephalomyelitis at 9 to 16 weeks p.i. Thus, α/β T cells were required for clearance of MAV-1. MAV-1 was cleared in mice lacking perforin, MHC class I or II, CD4+ T cells, or CD8+ T cells. Our results are consistent with a model in which either CD8+ or CD4+ T cells are sufficient for clearance of MAV-1. Furthermore, perforin contributed to MAV-1 disease but not viral clearance. We have established two critical roles for T cells in MAV-1-induced encephalomyelitis. T cells caused acute immunopathology and were required for long-term host survival of MAV-1 infection.

Characterization of MHC Class-I Restricted TCRαβ+CD4−CD8− Double-Negative T Cells Recognizing the gp100 Antigen from a Melanoma Patient after gp100 Vaccination

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4905-4905
Author(s):  
Simon Voelkl ◽  
Tamson Moore ◽  
Michael Rehli ◽  
Michael Nishimura ◽  
Karin Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Melanoma Patient ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Class I ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Double Negative ◽  
T Cell Clone

Abstract The immune attack against malignant tumors requires the concerted action of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) as well as CD4+ T helper cells. The contribution of T cell receptor (TCR)αβ+ CD4− CD8− double-negative (DN) T cells to anti-tumor immune responses is widely unknown. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that DN T cells with a broad TCR repertoire are present in humans in the peripheral blood and the lymph nodes of healthy individuals. Here we characterize a human DN T cell clone (T4H2) recognizing an HLA-A2-restricted melanoma-associated antigenic gp100-peptide isolated from the peripheral blood of a melanoma patient. Antigen recognition by the T4H2 DN clone resulted in specific secretion of IFN-γ and TNF. Although lacking the CD8 molecule the gp100-specifc DN T cell clone was able to confer antigen-specific cytotoxicity against gp100-loaded target cells as well as HLA-A2+ gp100 expressing melanoma cells. The cytotoxic capacity was found to be perforin/granzymeB-dependent. Together, these data indicate that functionally active antigen-specific DN T cells recognizing MHC class I-restricted tumor-associated antigen (TAA) may contribute to anti-tumor immunity in vivo.

458 Antitumor mechanisms of local radiation and combination immunotherapy in an immunologically cold model of neuroblastoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A486-A486
Author(s):  
Taylor Aiken ◽  
Julie Voeller ◽  
Amy Erbe ◽  
Alexander Rakhmilevich ◽  
Paul Sondel
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
T Regulatory Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cell Depletion ◽  
Class I ◽  
Combination Immunotherapy ◽  
T Cell Depletion

BackgroundThe standard treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma includes a combination immunotherapeutic approach consisting of IL-2, GM-CSF, and monoclonal antibodies directed against GD2, a disialoganglioside preferentially expressed in neuroblastoma and melanoma (1). We recently described an effective a preclinical in-situ vaccination strategy combining local radiation therapy (RT), IL-2-linked to anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (intratumoral immunocytokine, IT-IC), checkpoint inhibition (anti-CTLA4), and drivers of innate immunity (anti-CD40 and CpG) (2). This strategy is effective in curing mice with immunologically-cold neuroblastoma. We sought to better characterize the anti-tumor mechanisms that mediate this effect.MethodsMice bearing GD2-expressing, immunologically-cold neuroblastoma tumors (9464D-GD2) were treated with 12Gy RT and combination immunotherapy (IT-IC, anti-CTLA-4, CpG, anti-CD40) over 12 days as previously described (2). Depletion of individual immune cell sets during treatment was achieved by depleting monoclonal antibodies and confirmed by flow cytometry. T-cell receptor deficient (TCR KO) mice were used to confirm findings in T-cell depletion experiments. 9464D-GD2 parental cells have low MHC-I expression; subclones with low and moderate MHC Class I expression were obtained by flow cytometry sorting and the impact of MHC class I expression on immune cell infiltrate and survival was assessed.ResultsThe effectiveness of RT and combination immunotherapy was not significantly reduced by NK or T cell depletion, and TCR KO mice had similar tumor growth and survival to mice that underwent T-cell depletion. Moderate MHC class I expression did not slow tumor growth or improve survival in mice bearing 9464D-GD2 tumors (over those with low MHC-I) following treatment. Moderate MHC class I expression also did not alter individual immune cell subsets in treated tumors. Overall, increased infiltration of CD8 T-cells, CD4 T-cells, and depletion of T regulatory cells was observed in all treated tumors (p<0.05).Abstract 458 Figure 1Effect of MHC class I expression on response to RT and combination immunotherapy (IT-IC, anti-CTLA4, anti-CD40, CpG). A) Increased MHC class I expression in 9464D-GD2 derived tumors did not alter tumor growth or survival following treatment. B) Increased MHC class I expression did not alter immune subsets following treatment of 9464D-GD tumors with radiation and combination immunotherapy. Increased numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells was observed with both moderate and absent MHC class I expression. T regulatory cells were also effectively depleted in both treated groupsConclusionsTreatment with RT and combination immunotherapy (IT-IC, anti-CTLA4, anti-CD40, CpG) may act through mechanisms that are MHC class I, NK-cell and T-cell independent. Further investigation of the role of innate immunity and myeloid subsets in this scenario is warranted.AcknowledgementsResearch reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number T32 CA090217.ReferencesYu AL, Gilman AL, Ozkaynak MF, London WB, Kreissman SG, Chen HX, et al. Anti-GD2 Antibody with GM-CSF, Interleukin-2, and Isotretinoin for Neuroblastoma. New England Journal of Medicine 2010;363:1324–34Voeller J, Erbe AK, Slowinski J, Rasmussen K, Carlson PM, Hoefges A, et al. Combined innate and adaptive immunotherapy overcomes resistance of immunologically cold syngeneic murine neuroblastoma to checkpoint inhibition. Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer 2019;7:13

T-cell epitopes within the complementarity-determining and framework regions of the tumor-derived immunoglobulin heavy chain in multiple myeloma

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 101 (12) ◽  
pp. 4930-4936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotta Hansson ◽  
Hodjattallah Rabbani ◽  
Jan Fagerberg ◽  
Anders Österborg ◽  
Håkan Mellstedt
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Class I ◽  
Type I ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Hla Binding

Abstract The idiotypic structure of the monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) in multiple myeloma (MM) might be regarded as a tumor-specific antigen. The present study was designed to identify T-cell epitopes of the variable region of the Ig heavy chain (VH) in MM (n = 5) using bioinformatics and analyze the presence of naturally occurring T cells against idiotype-derived peptides. A large number of human-leukocyte-antigen (HLA)–binding (class I and II) peptides were identified. The frequency of predicted epitopes depended on the database used: 245 in bioinformatics and molecular analysis section (BIMAS) and 601 in SYFPEITHI. Most of the peptides displayed a binding half-life or score in the low or intermediate affinity range. The majority of the predicted peptides were complementarity-determining region (CDR)–rather than framework region (FR)–derived (52%-60% vs 40%-48%, respectively). Most of the predicted peptides were confined to the CDR2-FR3-CDR3 “geographic” region of the Ig-VH region (70%), and significantly fewer peptides were found within the flanking (FR1-CDR1-FR2 and FR4) regions (P &lt; .01). There were 8– to 10–amino acid (aa) long peptides corresponding to the CDRs and fitting to the actual HLA-A/B haplotypes that spontaneously recognized, albeit with a low magnitude, type I T cells (interferon γ), indicating an ongoing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I–restricted T-cell response. Most of those peptides had a low binding half-life (BIMAS) and a low/intermediate score (SYFPEITHI). Furthermore, 15- to 20-aa long CDR1-3–derived peptides also spontaneously recognized type I T cells, indicating the presence of MHC class II–restricted T cells as well. This study demonstrates that a large number of HLA-binding idiotypic peptides can be identified in patients with MM. Such peptides may spontaneously induce a type I MHC class I– as well as class II–restricted memory T-cell response.

scholarly journals Peptide vaccination directed against IDO1-expressing immune cells elicits CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity and enhanced anti-PD1 responses

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e000605
Author(s):  
Souvik Dey ◽  
Erika Sutanto-Ward ◽  
Katharina L Kopp ◽  
James DuHadaway ◽  
Arpita Mondal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Adoptive Transfer ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Class I ◽  
Antitumor Effects

BackgroundThe tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which subverts T-cell immunity at multiple levels, is itself subject to inherent T-cell reactivity. This intriguing deviation from central tolerance has been interpreted as counterbalancing IDO1-mediated immunosuppression. Based on this hypothesis, clinical studies employing an IDO1 peptide-based vaccine approach for cancer treatment have been initiated, but there remains a pressing need to further investigate the immunological ramifications of stimulating the anti-IDO1 T-cell response in this manner.MethodsCT26 colon carcinoma tumors were evaluated for expression of IDO1 protein by western blot analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Mouse IDO1-derived peptides, predicted to bind either major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II of the H2d BALB/c strain, were emulsified in 50% Montanide for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine treatment of CT26 tumor-bearing mice initiated either 7 days prior to or following tumor cell injection, respectively. In some therapeutic treatment experiments, administration of programmed cell death protein 1-binding antibody (anti-PD1 antibody) or epacadostat was concurrently initiated. Tumor size was determined by caliper measurements and comparative tumor growth suppression was assessed by longitudinal analyses of tumor growth data. For adoptive transfer, T cells from complete responder animals were isolated using paramagnetic beads and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.ResultsThis study identifies mouse MHC class I-directed and II-directed, IDO1-derived peptides capable of eliciting antitumor responses, despite finding IDO1 expressed exclusively in tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Treatment of established tumors with anti-PD1 antibody and class I-directed but not class II-directed IDO1 peptide vaccines produced an enhanced antitumor response. Likewise, class I-directed and II-directed IDO1 peptides elicited an enhanced combinatorial response, suggesting distinct mechanisms of action. Consistent with this interpretation, adoptive transfer of isolated CD8+ T cells from class I and CD4+ T cells from class II peptide-vaccinated responder mice delayed tumor growth. The class II-directed response was completely IDO1-dependent while the class I-directed response included an IDO1-independent component consistent with antigen spread.ConclusionsThe in vivo antitumor effects demonstrated with IDO1-based vaccines via targeting of the tumor microenvironment highlight the utility of mouse models for further exploration and refinement of this novel vaccine-based approach to IDO1-directed cancer therapy and its potential to improve patient response rates to anti-PD1 therapy.

scholarly journals CD8+ T Cell Co-Expressed Genes Correlate With Clinical Phenotype and Microenvironments of Urothelial Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutao Wang ◽  
Kexin Yan ◽  
Jiaxing Lin ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Jianfeng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Clinical Phenotype ◽  
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ◽  
Class I ◽  
T Cell Infiltration ◽  
Tumor Purity

PurposeTo identify immune-related co-expressed genes that promote CD8+ T cell infiltration in bladder cancer, and to explore the interactions among relevant genes in the tumor microenvironment.MethodWe obtained bladder cancer gene matrix and clinical information data from TCGA, GSE32894 and GSE48075. The “estimate” package was used to calculate tumor purity and immune score. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to assess CD8+ T cell proportions. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify the co-expression modules with CD8+ T cell proportions and bladder tumor purity. Subsequently, we performed correlation analysis among angiogenesis factors, angiogenesis inhibitors, immune inflammatory responses, and CD8+ T cell related genes in tumor microenvironment.ResultsA CD8+ T cell related co-expression network was identified. Eight co-expressed genes (PSMB8, PSMB9, PSMB10, PSME2, TAP1, IRF1, FBOX6, ETV7) were identified as CD8+ T cell-related genes that promoted infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and were enriched in the MHC class I tumor antigen presentation process. The proteins level encoded by these genes (PSMB10, PSMB9, PSMB8, TAP1, IRF1, and FBXO6) were lower in the high clinical grade patients, which suggested the clinical phenotype correlation both in mRNA and protein levels. These factors negatively correlated with angiogenesis factors and positively correlated with angiogenesis inhibitors. PD-1 and PD-L1 positively correlated with these genes which suggested PD-1 expression level positively correlated with the biological process composed by these co-expression genes. In the high expression group of these genes, inflammation and immune response were more intense, and the tumor purity was lower, suggesting that these genes were immune protective factors that improved the prognosis in patients with bladder cancer.ConclusionThese co-expressed genes promote high levels of infiltration of CD8+ T cells in an immunoproteasome process involved in MHC class I molecules. The mechanism might provide new pathways for treatment of patients who are insensitive to PD-1 immunotherapy due to low degrees of CD8+ T cell infiltration.

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.

scholarly journals Global immune characterization of HBV/HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma identifies macrophage and T-cell subsets associated with disease progression

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guohe Song ◽  
Yang Shi ◽  
Meiying Zhang ◽  
Shyamal Goswami ◽  
Saifullah Afridi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Immune Cell Subsets

AbstractDiverse immune cells in the tumor microenvironment form a complex ecosystem, but our knowledge of their heterogeneity and dynamics within hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains limited. To assess the plasticity and phenotypes of immune cells within HBV/HCV-related HCC microenvironment at single-cell level, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on 41,698 immune cells from seven pairs of HBV/HCV-related HCC tumors and non-tumor liver tissues. We combined bio-informatic analyses, flow cytometry, and multiplex immunohistochemistry to assess the heterogeneity of different immune cell subsets in functional characteristics, transcriptional regulation, phenotypic switching, and interactions. We identified 29 immune cell subsets of myeloid cells, NK cells, and lymphocytes with unique transcriptomic profiles in HCC. A highly complex immunological network was shaped by diverse immune cell subsets that can transit among different states and mutually interact. Notably, we identified a subset of M2 macrophage with high expression of CCL18 and transcription factor CREM that was enriched in advanced HCC patients, and potentially participated in tumor progression. We also detected a new subset of activated CD8+ T cells highly expressing XCL1 that correlated with better patient survival rates. Meanwhile, distinct transcriptomic signatures, cytotoxic phenotypes, and evolution trajectory of effector CD8+ T cells from early-stage to advanced HCC were also identified. Our study provides insight into the immune microenvironment in HBV/HCV-related HCC and highlights novel macrophage and T-cell subsets that could be further exploited in future immunotherapy.

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.

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