Characterization of helper factors distinct from interleukin 2 necessary for the generation of allospecific cytolytic T lymphocytes

The in vitro generation of primary murine allospecific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) from BALB/c (H-2d) spleen cell precursors in response to x-irradiated RDM4 (H-2k) tumor cells did not occur unless the cultures were supplemented with exogenous helper factors. Such CTL helper factors (CHF) could be provided by conditioned medium from cultures in which Sendai virus-immune BALB/c spleen cells were stimulated either with Sendai-infected cells (SC-CM) or with peptides cleaved by CNBr from intact virions (SP-CM). CHF activity stimulated by both antigens reached a maximum after day 3 of culture. In contrast, interleukin 2 (IL 2) activity peaked at day 2 and had essentially disappeared by day 4. Fractionation of day-4 SC-CM and SP-CM preparations by gel filtration revealed peaks of activity at apparent m.w. of 17,000 (CHF17) and 30,000 (CHF30). Under certain conditions, a peak of CHF activity appeared in the void volume with an apparent m.w. of 75,000 or greater. These results indicate that CHF activity is mediated by molecules distinct from IL 2.     

Interleukin 3 augments the murine primary cytolytic T lymphocyte response to allogeneic tumor cells

The primary anti-H-2k allospecific cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response by BALB/c (H-2d) spleen cells in vitro to x-irradiated RDM4 (H-2k) tumor cells is weak. This response has been shown to be augmented by CTL helper factor (CHF), a factor present in supernatants of spleen cells cultured with Sendai virus (SC-CM). Conditioned medium from WEHI-3 cells (WEHI-CM) also contains activity that augments the BALB/c anti- RDM4 CTL response. Attempts to separate the CHF activity from interleukin 3 (IL 3), also present in WEHI-CM, were unsuccessful. Purified IL 3 was then tested, and was found to increase the BALB/c anti- RDM4 CTL response by five- to 10-fold. IL 3 is apparently the only material in WEHI-CM that is active in this assay. The response is apparently a classical CTL response because: 1) the effector cells are sensitive to monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody plus C; 2) the response is dependent on antigen stimulation, and it peaks on day 5 or 6 of culture; and 3) the effector cells are specific for H-2k targets. IL 3 must be added very early during the in vitro culture period for maximal augmentation of the response, consistent with possible action of IL 3 as a differentiation factor.     

Requirement for three distinct lymphokines for the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from thymocytes

The induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from CTL precursors requires a combination of antigen and lymphokine signals. To investigate lymphokine requirements for CTL generation, we used an assay in which helper T cell and accessory cell-depleted spleen cells or whole thymocytes were cultured with lectin (Con A) and lymphokines. This culture was followed by assessment of lectin-dependent cytolysis. High concentrations of recombinant interleukin 2 (R-IL 2) (100 U/ml) alone were not sufficient for lectin-mediated CTL induction from thymocytes, whereas 20 to 100 U/ml of R-IL 2 alone could induce a significant lectin-mediated CTL response from accessory cell-depleted spleen cells. Using thymocytes as responders, we found purified or recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) did not cause cytolytic activity either in the absence of or in the presence of R-IL 2. However, supernatant from Con A-stimulated rat spleen cells (rat Con A SN) in combination with R-IL 2 could induce cytolytic activity, suggesting that several factors are required for CTL induction. Con A SN was fractionated by gel filtration and the fractions were tested for ability to induce CTL. In the presence of a low level of R-IL 2 (5 U/ml), fractions with a Mr of approximately 31,000 could induce CTL, and this activity was referred to as CTL differentiation factor (CDF). The peak fractions containing CDF activity did not have detectable IL 1, IL 2, IFN-gamma, or CSF activity. However, by add-back experiments and the use of blocking antibodies, a monoclonal antibody against the IL 2 receptor or antibodies against murine IFN-gamma, we demonstrated that CTL induction from mature thymocytes (L3T4-, Lyt-2+) requires CDF activity in addition to IL 2 and IFN-gamma.     

A helper factor needed for the generation of mouse cytolytic T lymphocytes is made by tumor cell lines, cloned T cells, and spleen cells exposed to a variety of stimuli

A helper factor termed cytolytic T lymphocyte helper factor (CHF) that is needed for the generation of allospecific mouse cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro was produced by mouse spleen cells 3 to 4 days after the time when interleukin 2 (IL 2) had reached its maximal production. These kinetics were observed by stimulation of immune spleen cells with allogeneic tumor or spleen cells, with Sendai or influenza viral peptides, with virus infected cells, or with concanavalin A (Con A). CHF produced by rat spleen cells was able to help in the generation of mouse CTL, indicating that this cytokine was not restricted genetically. CHF could also be made by WEHI-3 and EL4 cell lines, as well as cloned cytolytic and helper T cells. The production of CHF by WEHI-3 cells argues that CHF is not IL 2. In addition, if CHF was not present early in the in vitro stimulation no CTL were generated, suggesting that CHF participated in the activation of CTL precursors. The addition of IL 2-containing conditioned medium to the CHF assay resulted in no substantial CTL generation, although significant cellular proliferation was observed. In contrast, CHF-containing conditioned medium allowed the generation of CTL in the absence of the same level of proliferation.     

In vivo development of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) to hapten-altered self: MIs-disparate cells facilitate the response by neutralizing IL 2 inhibitor

Inability to develop CTL in vivo to hapten-altered self can be attributed in part to an inhibitor of interleukin 2 (IL 2) that is present in the serum of normal mice. We have shown earlier that hapten-specific CTL can be generated in C3H mice (H-2k, MIsc) provided CBA/J (H-2k MIsd) spleen cells are injected simultaneously with hapten-modified syngeneic spleen cells into the hind foot paws. In efforts to determine whether serum levels of the inhibitor of IL 2 are altered as a consequence of this successful immunization method, we have compared the activity of the inhibitor in serum at intervals after the injection of syngeneic spleen cells, CBA spleen cells, or TNP-C3H spleen cells alone or together with CBA spleen cells, by using a murine IL 2-dependent, cloned cytotoxic T cell line, CT-6. The results indicate that inhibitor was neutralized optimally 48 to 72 hr after injection of TNP-C3H spleen cells mixed with CBA/J spleen cells. The order in which neutralization occurred was as follows: TNP-C3H cells + CBA/J cells greater than CBA cells greater than TNP-C3H cells greater than normal C3H spleen cells. Furthermore, supernatants from cultures of C3H lymph node cells stimulated in vivo with CBA/J cells also contained IL 2 activity. Thus, injection of CBA/J cells with TNP-modified syngeneic spleen cells produces IL 2 in vivo in sufficient quantity to neutralize the activity of the inhibitor as well as to facilitate the maturation of pre-CTL into hapten-altered self-specific CTL.     

Interleukin 2-mediated induction of lytic activity in a cloned murine CTL line

We have analyzed the ability of interleukin 2 (IL 2) to induce lytic activity within a cloned murine H-2Dd-specific CTL line. Weakly lytic CTL harvested 6 to 7 days after previous stimulation with irradiated DBA/2J spleen cells and conditioned medium from secondary MLC (MLC SN) could be reactivated to high antigen-specific lytic activity with highly purified gibbon IL 2 or E. coli-produced human recombinant DNA IL 2. Dose-response curves with IL 2 and MLC SN suggest that IL 2 may be the principal detectable activity in MLC SN that is active on these CTL. Doses of IL 2 or MLC SN that were saturating for the induction of lytic activity were suboptimal for the expression of DNA synthesis measured by 3HTdR incorporation. This is consistent with a mechanism in which different threshold IL 2 concentrations are required to induce these two biologic responses. Finally, we show that IFN-gamma has little effect on the expression of lytic activity either alone or in combination with IL 2 in this bioassay.     

Natural killer activity in cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes: regulation by interleukin 2, interferon, and specific antigen

It has previously been shown that monoclonal antigen-specific mouse CTL lines can be induced to express cytolytic activity with the same specificity as that of splenic natural killer (NK) cells following culture in high concentrations of concanavalin A-induced spleen cell supernatants. In the present experiments, we made use of this in vitro system to explore the regulation of NK activity at the clonal level. Interferon-alpha and interferon-beta and interleukin 2 (IL 2) were potent inducers of NK activity in CTL, demonstrating that these substances can activate NK functions directly without the participation of other cell types. By comparison, IFN-gamma was a poor activator of NK activity in CTL (and also in fresh spleen cells). Three major differences between induction of NK activity by IFN-alpha,beta and IL 2 were noted: IFN induced NK activity selectively without affecting specific cytolysis, whereas IL 2 also enhanced specific killing; IFN acted much more rapidly than IL 2; and IFN did not induce the cells to enter the cell cycle nor were there any obvious morphologic changes. Specific antigen was also a strong inducer of NK activity in CTL, but studies with antisera against the various classes of IFN revealed that this effect was mediated, at least in part, via the release of IFN-beta. By contrast, the same antisera had no effect on NK induction by crude TCGF or by highly purified IL 2, indicating that the regulation of NK activity by IL 2 occurs at the clonal level in an IFN-independent manner. Although, IL 2, IFN, and Ag could apparently act alone to induce NK activity, much greater (synergistic) induction was obtained by various combinations of these regulators, suggesting that the delivery of two (or more) signals to the responder cell was required for full expression of the NK state. As with fresh splenic NK cells, the induced NK state in cloned CTL was intrinsically labile as revealed by its rapid decay in the absence of inducers, but it could nonetheless be maintained indefinitely at very high levels in the continued presence of inducers. This clonal system thus displays a responsiveness to regulatory signals exactly analogous to that of splenic NK cells and provides a unique and exciting opportunity to evaluate the biochemistry of the regulation of NK activity.     

Abrogation of anti-Pichinde virus cytotoxic T cell memory by cyclophosphamide and restoration by coinfection or interleukin 2

Previously, we demonstrated that memory cell-mediated immune responses can be generated in Pichinde virus (PV)-primed mice after secondary challenge in vivo with homologous virus. Further, treatment of mice with cyclophosphamide (CY) before primary infection with PV abrogated the generation of H-2-restricted, virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and rechallenge of these mice was followed by neither a primary nor a secondary CTL response. Here, we demonstrate that this CY-induced block in memory anti-PV CTL generation was not due to establishment of a persistent infection. Interestingly, this CY-induced block in memory anti-PV CTL generation was overcome by secondarily coinfecting mice with PV and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or PV and Tacaribe virus. Secondary infection with LCMV or Tacaribe virus alone did not elicit anti-PV CTL. Coinfection resulted in the generation of a PV-specific memory CTL response as judged by maximal activity on day 4 after rechallenge. Co-infection with PV and vesicular stomatitis virus, an unrelated rhabdovirus, did not efficiently restore memory anti-PV CTL responses. Memory anti-PV CTL responses were also restored when interleukin 2 (IL 2)-containing supernatants were injected i.p. after rechallenge of CY-treated mice with PV. To demonstrate that IL 2 was the responsible lymphokine in these preparations, highly purified IL 2 was added to in vitro cultures of spleen cells from CY-treated PV-primed mice. In the presence of PV-infected syngeneic macrophages, addition of purified IL 2 resulted in a dose-dependent restoration of H-2-restricted anti-PV CTL activity. The CTL precursor (CTLp) frequency of CY-treated PV-primed mice was markedly decreased from that of normal PV-primed mice. Thus, the long-lasting block in the ability to generate a PV-specific memory CTL response after CY treatment appears to be due to both a lack of helper T cell activity and a significant reduction of CTLp. However, this block may be overcome by coinfecting with viruses that cross-react at the helper T cell level or by exogenous treatment with highly purified IL 2.     

Production and characterization of T-cell clones specific for trinitrophenyl (TNP)-modified syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-self)

Using serial antigenic challenge as the method of selection and stimulation, continuous lines of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) directed against TNBS-modified syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-self) have been generated. Spleen cells from C3H/HeJ (H-2k) mice were primed in vitro with autologous spleen cells modified with TNBS, and subsequently cloned by limiting dilution and in soft agar in the presence of IL2. These CTL clones grew continuously in medium supplemented with IL2 and in the presence of antigen. They are antigen specific and H-2 restricted in their target cell recognition. They all express Thyl and Lyt2 surface markers. None of the clones exhibit natural killer (NK) cell activity. All CTL clones tested so far are restricted in their target cell recognition to H-2Kk-TNP and none were found to be restricted to H-2Dk-TNP. These findings demonstrate at the clonal level the H-2K/D restriction of TNP-self specific CTL. These clones provide tools that may facilitate an understanding of the development and regulation of antigen specific CTL. They may also serve as models useful towards an understanding of the mechanism of lysis by CTL.     

Constitutive production by the WEHI-3 cell line of B cell growth and differentiation factor that co-purifies with interleukin 1

The myelomonocytic cell line WEHI-3 produces constitutively a factor that affects the growth and differentiation of murine B cells in culture. This cell line also secretes colony-stimulating factors (CSF), interleukin 1 (IL 1) but not interleukin 2. Sequential purification through AcA54 gel filtration, DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange chromatography, and buffer electrofocussing clearly resolved the B cell growth and differentiation factor (BGDF) from the CSF activities but failed to separate BGDF from IL 1. The WEHI-3-derived material responsible for BGDF/IL 1 activity, however, exhibited different behavior on DEAE chromatography (elution at 175 mM NaCl) to that reported for IL 1 from the P388D1 cell line (elution at 50 mM NaCl). B cell growth and differentiation could be induced by WEHI-3 BGDF/IL 1 in cultures of normal spleen cells depleted of T cells and adherent cells but not in cultures of spleen cells from B cell-deficient CBA/N mice, even though thymocytes from such mice displayed a normal response to IL 1. Significant B cell proliferation induced by BGDF/IL 1 was apparent only in the presence of submitogenic concentrations of anti-mouse IgM antibodies, but under these conditions few antibody-forming cells (AFC) were generated. In contrast, B cell differentiation to AFC occurred in the presence of the factor alone, and this response was inhibited by anti-IgM. Thus there appeared to be a reciprocal relationship between B cell proliferation and differentiation induced by BGDF/IL 1. The significance of these results is discussed in the light of other recent studies of BGDF.     

Secondary in vitro generation of CTL specific for MM antigen by stimulation with somatic tumor hybrid, but not with parental tumor cells

Somatic tumor hybrid cells (L-FM3A#2), obtained by hybridization of MM tumor cells (FM3A/R) with HGPRT-less L cells, could induce CTL directed against MM antigen, a tumor-associated transplantation antigen that is expressed on some ascitic mammary tumor cell lines of C3H/He mice; parental tumor cells (FM3A/R) could not produce such CTL in syngeneic mice. In this study, the mechanisms of the generation of CTL by stimulation with L-FM3A#2 hybrid cells were investigated. In the secondary in vitro stimulation system, L cell component(s) that were introduced into hybrid cells by cell fusion play a role in the induction of CTL, as shown by the fact that stimulation with a mixture of L and FM3A/R cells could induce MM antigen-specific CTL, and that the killer helper effect of L cells could be replaced by cell free culture supernatants obtained from co-cultures of unprimed C3H spleen and L cells. IFN activity, but no IL 2 activity, was detected in the culture supernatants. Both IFN and killer helper activity were lost with pH 2 treatment; furthermore, CTL were generated by stimulation of primed spleen cells with FM3A/R cells in the presence of mouse beta-IFN, but not in its absence. These results suggest that IFN liberated by the helper cells that recognize L cell component(s) on the surfaces of tumor hybrid cells plays an essential role in the generation of CTL specific for MM antigen.     

The recognition specificity of a murine helper T cell for hemagglutinin of influenza virus A/PR/8/34

Human large granular lymphocytes (LGL), which are known to be responsible for natural killer (NK) cell activity, also produced a variety of lymphokines including interleukin 2 (IL 2), colony stimulating factor (CSF), and interferon (IFN) in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (Con A). Human peripheral blood LGL, which were purified by removal of monocytes adhering to plastic flasks and nylon columns, followed by separation on a discontinuous Percoll gradient, and additional treatment with anti-OKT3 and Leu-M1 plus complement, were more potent producers of these lymphokines than unseparated mononuclear cells (MNC), nylon column-eluted cells, or purified T lymphocytes. Moreover, IL 2 production by LGL could be further distinguished in that it was not enhanced by the addition of macrophages or macrophage-derived factor, i.e., IL 1, whereas addition of macrophages did potentiate IL 2 production by T lymphocytes. Further analysis of cells in the LGL population using various monoclonal antibodies revealed that removal of cells with OKT11 or AF-10, a monoclonal antibody against human HLA-DR antigen, decreased IL 2 production, whereas removal of OKT8+, OKM1+, Leu-M1+, or Leu-7+ cells led to enhanced IL 2 production. The LGL population is therefore heterogeneous and includes at least three functionally and phenotypically distinct subsets. An atypical T cell subset (OKT3-, Leu-1-, OKT11+) rather than the myeloid subset of LGL (Leu-M1+ or OKMI+) was the source of LGL-derived IL 2, whereas the latter subset and/or another subset of OKT8+ cells appear to regulate this IL 2 production. In addition to performing NK activity, LGL on a per cell basis seem to be more effective than T lymphocytes in producing lymphokines, namely, IL2, CSF, and IFN.     

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro. VII. Suppressive effect of irradiated MLC cells on CTL response.

Irradiated cells obtained from MLC at the peak of the CTL response caused profound suppression of generation of CTL when added in small numbers at the initiation of primary MLC prepared with normal spleen cells. The inhibitory activity of the MLC cells was not affected by irradiation (1000 rads) but was abolished by treatment with anti-theta serum and complement. The suppression was immunologically specific. The response of A (H-2a) spleen cells toward C3H (H-2k) alloantigens was suppressed by irradiated MLC cells obtained from MLC prepared with A spleen cells and irradiated C3H-stimulating cells, whereas the response of A spleen cells toward DBA/2 (H-2d) alloantigens was affected relatively little. However, if irradiated C3H X DBA/2 F1 hybrid spleen cells were used to stimulate A spleen cells in MLC, addition of irradiated MLC cells having cytotoxic activity toward C3H antigens abolished the response to both C3H and DBA/2 antigens. The response to DBA/2 antigens was much less affected when a mixture of irradiated C3H and DBA/2 spleen cells was used as stimulating cells. Thus, the presence of MLC cells having cytotoxic activity toward one alloantigen abolished the response to another non-cross reacting antigen only when both antigens were present on the same F1 hybrid-stimulating cells. This suppression of generation of CTL by irradiated MLC cells apparently involves inactivation of alloantigen-bearing stimulating cells as a result of residual cytotoxic activity of the irradiated MLC cells. This mechanism may be active during the decline in CTL activity noted in the normal immune response in vivo and in vitro.     

Thymocyte differentiation activity from the cloned monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Alterations in the expression of immature thymocyte surface antigens

The cloned monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was previously shown to produce thymocyte mitogenic and co-mitogenic activity that eluted from a Sephadex G-75 column not only at approximately 16,000 daltons, the m.w. described for interleukin 1 (IL 1), but also at 30,000 to 40,000 daltons. The studies reported here indicate that the 30,000 to 40,000 dalton molecule has thymic differentiating activity. Thymocytes from A/J mice were fractionated on discontinuous BSA gradients, which yielded populations of cells enriched for immature and mature cells. The cells found at the interface between 35 and 29% BSA (band 1 cells), which are the most immature, were cultured for 48 hr with highly purified IL 1, with the 30,000 to 40,000 dalton form of thymocyte co-mitogenic activity obtained after Sephadex G-75 chromatography and chromatofocusing chromatography, or with media alone. The surface antigens TL-3, H-2Kk, Thy-1.2, Lyt-1, and Lyt-2 were examined by immunofluorescence. It was found that the highly purified 30,000 to 40,000 dalton species of co-mitogenic activity induced a significant increase in the content of surface H-2Kk, a decrease in TL-3, and a very small decrease in Thy-1.2 on the cell surface, whereas IL 1 was not capable of inducing a change in these surface antigens. There was no change in Lyt-1 on the surface of band 1 thymocytes after incubation with either IL 1 or the 30,000 to 40,000 dalton species. The 30,000 to 40,000 dalton species caused a significant decrease in the percentage of cells staining positive for Lyt-2, whereas IL 1 caused a smaller but significant decrease in Lyt-2. These changes in the surface markers TL-3, H-2Kk, and Thy-1.2 are consistent with changes that occur during thymocyte differentiation. It was also observed that the proliferative response to the 30,000 to 40,000 dalton form and IL 1 increased with increasing functional maturity of each band of thymocytes when used in the thymocyte mitogenic assay. However, only the 30,000 to 40,000 dalton form was capable of inducing a proliferative response in the immature band 1 thymocytes in the thymocyte co-mitogenic assay. These results indicate that the RAW 264.7 cells produce a factor that has, in addition to thymocyte co-mitogenic activity, thymocyte differentiation activity, and this factor is distinct from IL 1.     

Vasopressin replacement of interleukin 2 requirement in gamma interferon production: lymphokine activity of a neuroendocrine hormone

The neuroendocrine antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) was capable of replacing the interleukin 2 (IL 2) requirement for gamma-interferon (IFN gamma) production by Lyt-2+ cells from C57BL/6 mouse spleen cells. The AVP replacement did not stimulate DNA synthesis in the target lymphocytes. This suggested that AVP was capable of replacing an IL 2 function that did not involve stimulation of cellular proliferation or DNA synthesis. This was confirmed by the demonstration that mitomycin C inhibition of IFN gamma production was reversed by IL 2 or AVP without concomitant reversal of blockage of DNA synthesis. Oxytocin, which is structurally related to AVP, was also capable of replacing IL 2 requirement for IFN gamma production, whereas insulin was ineffective. The data show that the neuroendocrine hormones AVP and oxytocin are capable of lymphokine-like activity. This activity may involve the induction of a second messenger such as cyclic GMP.     

Lethal graft-vs-host disease across major histocompatibility barriers: requirement for leucyl-leucine methyl ester sensitive cytotoxic T cells

L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (Leu-Leu-OMe) is selectively toxic for human natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) at both the precursor and effector stage of differentiation. The present studies explored the effects of Leu-Leu-OMe on murine spleen cell function. Leu-Leu-OMe exposure removed NK function from murine spleen cells but spared their capacity to proliferate in response to lipopolysaccharide and Con A. The capacity to generate CTL from both L3T4 (+) and Lyt-2 (+) precursors was lost after Leu-Leu-OMe treatment, whereas alloantigen-induced proliferation and interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by L3T4 (+) T helper cells remained intact. Lethal graft vs host disease (GVHD), which developed in irradiated (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 recipients of C57BL/6 bone marrow and spleen cells was completely prevented by Leu-Leu-OMe treatment of donor cells. In contrast depletion of Lyt-2 positive cells from the donor inoculum did not prevent acute GVHD in this fully major histo-compatibility complex (MHC) incompatible strain combination. However, Leu-Leu-OMe treatment of the Lyt-2 depleted inoculum completely prevented lethal GVHD, although the treated cells retained the capacity to proliferate and secrete IL 2 normally after in vitro stimulation with (C57BL/6 X DFA/2)F1 spleen cells. These findings indicate that L3T4 (+) T helper cells alone are unable to initiate lethal GVHD in this H-2 incompatible strain combination. Rather, lethal GVHD requires the transfer of a Leu-Leu-OMe sensitive T cell subset, likely to be thymus educated pre-CTL. Leu-Leu-OMe treatment should provide a useful way to delineate subpopulations of cells involved in the production of lethal GVHD and an approach to preventing this complication of bone marrow transplantation.     

Tolerance to Mls-disparate cells induces suppressor T cells that act at the helper level to prevent in vivo generation of cytolytic lymphocytes to hapten-altered self

We have been examining the mechanisms that control in vivo development and down regulation of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) to trinitrophenyl (TNP)-altered self antigens. In vivo generation of hapten-specific CTL requires an auxiliary antigenic stimulus, which can be provided by H-2 compatible but Mls-disparate cells. These experiments were designed to study the effect of tolerization with such Mls-disparate cells on CTL development. C3H/HeN (H-2k, Mlsc ) mice sensitized in the footpads with C3H-TNP spleen cells plus CBA/J (H-2k, Mlsd ) spleen cells develop CTL in the draining lymph nodes that will lyse 51Cr-labeled TNP-modified C3H targets. However, we have found that if C3H/HeN mice are given tolerizing doses of CBA/J spleen cells 5 to 7 days before sensitization, a splenic suppressor T cell (Ts) appears. This Ts will suppress CTL development in its tolerant host, and can be transferred adoptively to function in naive mice. Ts and its precursor are cyclophosphamide insensitive and therefore different from the naturally existing suppressor cell present in mice. When triggered by cells with Mlsd , the Ts produces a factor (TsF) that hinders helper factors from functioning in an in vitro CTL assay. Furthermore, TsF acts to prevent utilization of IL 2 by an IL 2-dependent cell line. Thus, evidence has been provided that the in vivo generation of CTL toward hapten-altered self can be down regulated at the level of helper signals by a Ts. The latter is inducible by the Mls-disparate cells that are needed at a different site to trigger the helper factors in this CTL system.     

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from thymocyte precursors to trinitrophenyl-modified self antigens. I. Requirement of both killer-helper factor(s) and interleukin 2 for CTL generation from a subpopulation of thymocytes

The requirement for signals in the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from thymocyte precursors has been investigated. Either unfractionated or peanut agglutinin-binding (PNA+) C3H/He thymocytes were stimulated with mitomycin C(MMC)-treated, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl(TNP)-modified syngeneic spleen cells in the presence of a variety of lymphokine preparations. Cellfree supernatant (CFS) from purified protein derivatives(PPD-CFS) stimulated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Tbc)-primed cells, or partially purified interleukin 2 (IL 2) mediated strong cytotoxic responses in unfractionated thymocytes, whereas only PPD-CFS at final concentrations beyond 30% was active for CTL generation in PNA+ thymocytes. Neither IL 2 at concentrations of below 60 U/ml nor a low concentration of PPD-CFS (at final below 10%) had such a capacity. The addition of monoclonal anti-IL 2 receptor antibody completely blocked CTL generation induced by PPD-CFS in PNA+ thymocytes. In contrast, anti-immune interferon (IFN-gamma) antibody showed a marginal effect. PPD-CFS (10%) and IL 2 (10 U/ml) could synergistically trigger PNA+ thymocytes to induce CTL generation. These results suggested that both IL 2 and "helper" factors other than IL 2 are required for CTL generation from PNA+ thymocytes. We refer to these kinds of helper factors as killer helper factors (KHF). Partially purified IL 2-free KHF show two peaks of activities at apparent m.w. 14,000 to 34,000 and 44,000 to 90,000, and are heterogeneous with respect to isoelectric point, which is between 4.5 and 5.1. Cultures that received TNP-modified syngeneic cells and KHF on day 0 and IL 2 on day 2 generated potent CTL responses, whereas the addition of IL 2 on day 0 followed by the addition of KHF on day 2 to the culture was ineffective, suggesting that KHF is required in the early phase of the culture to achieve optimal CTL responses.     

Induction and characterization of minor histocompatibility antigens. Specific primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in vitro

A definite cytotoxic activity was developed in a BALB/c (H-2d) anti-DBA/2 primary mixed leukocyte culture (MLC), which received interleukin 2 (IL-2) on day 3 of culture. This cytotoxic activity was minor histocompatibility antigens (MIHA)-specific at the stimulator level, and was not developed in a syngeneic (BALB/c anti-BALB/c) MLC. The addition of IL-2 on day 3 of culture was crucial; no or very weak cytotoxic activity was developed in MLC receiving IL-2 on day 0 or on both day 0 and day 3. Only appropriate MIHA-allogeneic tumor cells were lysed as the target of the cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxic activity seemed MIHA-specific also at the target level; it lysed tumor cells of DBA/2 mouse origin but not those of BALB/c (syngeneic) origin. Phenotypes of the cytotoxic effector cell were Thy-1+ Lyt-2+. We concluded from these results that MIHA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated in the MIHA-allogeneic primary MLC. In this newly developed system, we studied genetic and antigenic requirements for primary anti-MIHA CTL responses in vitro. We demonstrated; among spleen cells (SC) of seven B10 H-2-congenic strains only SC of B10.D2 strain whose major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (H-2d) was compatible with the responder MHC effectively stimulated responder BALB/c (H-2d) SC for an anti-MIHA (DBA-C57BL-common) CTL response. Similarly, only SC of two out of seven C x B recombinant inbred strains (C x B.H and C x B.D), which were compatible at the MHC with responder SC, activated responder BALB/c SC for the response. The possibility that cells responding to H-2 alloantigens suppressed the anti-MIHA response was ruled out. Additional experiments showed that compatibility at the H-2K-end or the H-2D-end of the MHC was sufficient for a definite anti-MIHA response. These provided formal evidence that primary anti-MIHA CTL responses in vitro were MHC-restricted at the stimulator level. We then showed that sonication-disrupted SC or Sephadex G-10 column-passed nonadherent SC failed to stimulate responder SC for a primary anti-MIHA CTL response, whereas G-10-passed nonadherent SC responded well to adherent stimulator cells. Further study demonstrated that Ia+ adherent cells were the most active cell type as stimulator. Finally, we confirmed that the primary anti-MIHA CTL responses to adherent stimulator cells was MHC-restricted.     

In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system. VI. Rabbit anti-mouse cytotoxic T effector cells are inhibited by anti-rabbit T cell serum in the absence of complement.

Xenogeneic rabbit anti-mouse cell-mediated cytotoxic activity could be generated by culturing lymphoid cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen, or peripheral blood of rabbits primed 2 to 8 weeks earlier with mouse tumor or spleen cells. MLN cells, which provided the best source of activity after being cultured with 5 to 10 X 10(6) mitomycin C-treated mouse spleen cells for 4 to 6 days, produced 30 to 90% specific isotope release after 4 to 7 hr incubation with 15Cr-labeled tumor target cells. Xenogeneic cytotoxic activity was primarily H-2 specific and could not be blocked by immune complexes but was abrogated by treatment with goat anti-rabbit thymocyte serum plus complement (ATS + C) before or after culture. Therefore, the activity appeared to be mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Furthermore, ATS without C abrogated cytotoxic activity when included in the CTL assay at concentrations of 5 to 15 microliter/10(7) effector cells. The inhibitory activity of ATS was directed to the rabbit effector population and could be absorbed completely by rabbit thymocytes. Antisera to mouse T cells with comparable cytolytic activity in the presence of C did not inhibit murine allogeneic CTL.