The DTH-initiating Thy-1+ cell is double-negative (CD4-, CD8-) and CD3-, and expresses IL-3 receptors, but no IL-2 receptors

The elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) requires an early-acting Thy-1+ cell that produces an Ag-specific, non-MHC-restricted factor that initiates DTH by sensitizing the local tissue for release of the vasoactive amine serotonin. We characterized the phenotype of this DTH-initiating cell by treating cells from sensitized mice with different antibodies and then either with rabbit C or anti-Ig panning or bead separation to deplete various subpopulations. We then transferred these cells i.v. into naive recipients that were challenged to elicit DTH. Our findings indicate that the early DTH-initiating cell is Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, CD4-, CD8- and CD3-, whereas the classical, late DTH effector T cell is Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, CD4+, CD8-, and CD3+. We hypothesize that DTH-initiating cells are primitive T cells with Ag receptors that can bind Ag without MHC-restriction. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that two different antibodies, that both bind T cell-derived Ag-binding molecules, eliminated the DTH-initiating, cell but did not affect the late component, MHC-restricted CD4+, CD3+ T cell. Additional experiments with antibodies against restricted determinants of the T-200 glycoprotein family (CD45R) showed that the early but not the late cell is positive for B220, which is usually present on B cells, and on some activated T cells. Also, the DTH-initiating cell is Il-2R-, but Il-3R+; whereas the late component DTH T cell is IL-2R+ and IL-3-. Our findings suggest that DTH-initiating cells may be Ag-specific lymphoid precursor cells that arise before final differentiation along the pathway leading to mature T or B cells. Our results indicate that antigen-specific Thy-1+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8- cells function in vivo to initiate DTH reactions.     

Distinct subsets of accessory cells activate Thy-1+ triple negative (CD3-, CD4-, CD8-) cells and Th-1 delayed-type hypersensitivity effector T cells.

The SJL strain of mice possess a unique developmental delay in the ability to exhibit delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses after immunization with a wide variety of Ag. Similar to other models of DTH, the adoptive transfer of syngeneic Ag-pulsed macrophages from DTH-responsive mice into these DTH-unresponsive mice results in the activation of Ag-specific, CD4+ DTH effector Th1 T cells. The absence of other defects in APC-dependent immune responses indicate that the macrophages is the sole APC required for the induction of DTH effector T cells in SJL mice. The defect occurs during the sensitization phase of the DTH response; however, it has not been determined whether a Th cell, which is required for the induction of CD4+ DTH effector T cells, was present in the DTH unresponsive SJL mice. In this study, we have determined that the Thy-1+ helper cell is induced upon Ag stimulation of nonresponder mice and present evidence for the existence of an accessory cell distinct from the macrophage that induces CD4+ DTH effector T cells. Our data indicate that CD4+ DTH effector T cells are induced in an Ag-specific and MHC-restricted manner by an adherent macrophage that expresses the Mac-1+, Mac-2-, Mac-3+, I-A+ phenotype. Adoptive transfer of as few as 100 of the Mac-1+, Mac-2-, or Mac-3+ subsets from DTH responsive donors to DTH unresponsive recipients is able to overcome the DTH deficit. The activation of CD4+ DTH effector T cells in the SJL mouse cells also requires a Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, helper cell. In contrast to the Mac-1+, Mac-3+, I-A+ accessory cell, this helper cell requires an adherent, irradiation resistant, accessory cell that expresses the Mac-1+, Mac-2-, Mac-3-, I-A- surface phenotype for activation. Further, the interaction between this accessory cell and the Thy-1+ helper cell is neither Ag-specific nor MHC restricted. This is the first demonstration of an accessory cell requirement for the Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, B220-, CD4-, CD8-, CD3- DTH Th cell. These data indicate that the activation of the triple negative helper cells and subsequent activation of the CD4+ effector T cells are regulated by two distinct macrophage subpopulations.     

Mlsa generated suppressor cells. I. Suppression is mediated by double-negative (CD3+CD5+CD4-CD8-) alpha/beta T cell receptor-bearing cells.

Grafting of cells from B10.D2 (H-2d) donors into H-2 compatible lethally irradiated (DBA/2 x B10.D2)F1 hosts results in a severe graft-vs-host reaction (GVHR), developed against DBA/2 non-H-2 Ag, with only 0 to 10% of animals surviving. This GVHR mortality rate is dramatically reduced (90 to 100% of animals survive) by donor preimmunization against Mlsa determinants. The protection against GVHR correlates with a decreased B10.D2 anti-DBA/2 proliferative response in vitro. Both in vivo and in vitro phenomena are associated with activation of CD5+ suppressor T cells in the spleens of immunized mice. The present work was designed to study the origin of these suppressor cells and to further characterize their phenotype. The results show that significant suppression is not inducible in "B" mice. In contrast, in mice that were only thymectomized or else pretreated in vivo with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 mAb, the suppressor cells are activated as efficiently as in normal mice. The suppression of GVHR mortality and proliferative responses in vitro is lost after depletion from preimmunized splenocytes of CD5+ T cells and remains unaltered after depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells or both. Depletion of asialo GM1+ cells removes all NK activity, whereas the suppression is decreased only slightly. FACS analysis showed that double-negative (DN) cells from normal and immunized mice contain both CD3+ and CD3- cells; the vast majority of the CD3+ DN T cells express the alpha/beta T cell receptor. Suppression of GVHR and of proliferative responses in vitro are abrogated after elimination of CD3+ cells. These results suggest that Mlsa generated suppressor cells: 1) are derived from post-thymic long-lived T cell precursors; 2) are low asialo GM-1+ but do not exhibit NK activity; 3) belong to a subset of peripheral CD5+ DN T cells bearing a CD3-associated alpha/beta-heterodimer.     

Mls-1a-induced peripheral tolerance to host minor histocompatibility antigens in radiation bone marrow chimeras. Modification of T cell repertoire associated with active suppression and permanent presentation of host antigens.

Minor histocompatibility Ag (mHAg) can be responsible for the development of graft vs host reaction (GVHR) after bone marrow transplantation. In a mouse model, B10.D2 donor immunization against Mls-1a prevents lethal GVHR developed by CD4+ T cells against DBA mHAg in irradiated (DBA/2 x B10.D2)F1 hosts. Such F1 hosts become 100% chimeric and show long term survival (LS mice). The cellular mechanisms underlying the tolerance in LS mice was investigated. It was found that a state of tolerance can be induced in thymectomized F1 hosts. Although spleen cells from LS mice are able to initiate lethal GVHR in third-party H-2k-incompatible hosts, no GVHR is observed in secondary hosts incompatible for specific DBA/2 mHAg. Mixed lymphocyte experiments in vitro confirm that T cells from LS mice are unresponsive toward specific DBA/2 mHAg, although they are able to proliferate in response to H-2 or Mls-1a Ag. The responsiveness to Mls-1a correlates with the presence of V beta 6+ cells in LS mice, probably derived from mature T cells present in the donor inoculum. The tolerance in LS mice is not due to the lack of DBA/2 mHAg presentation; instead, permanent presentation of Ag (Ag I and Ag II) previously described as being responsible for lethal GVHR is consistently observed. A significant protection against GVHR is obtained by transferring normal B10.D2 cells together with spleen cells from LS mice, clearly indicating the contribution of active suppression in the state of tolerance; this is further confirmed by in vitro results obtained in limiting dilution assays. It is concluded that tolerance in chimeric LS mice 1) is due to a peripheral (thymus-independent) mechanism; 2) is specific for mHAg; 3) correlates with unresponsiveness of the repertoire to host mHAg, without alteration of the repertoire for H-2 and Mls-1a Ag; and 4) is associated with an active suppression and with a permanent presentation of at least two mHAg responsible for GVHR mortality.     

Role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the prevention of lupus-like disease occurring in a murine model of graft-vs-host disease

The inoculation of B6D2F1 mice with T lymphocytes from the C57BL/6 parental strain induces an "immunosuppressive" graft-vs-host reaction (B6 GVH), whereas inoculation of T cells from the other, DBA/2 parental strain induces an "immunostimulatory" GVH reaction and a lupus-like disease (DBA GVH). The present study compares cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function in the spleens of these GVH mice as well as differences in the donor inoculum that could account for these different types of GVH. We observed that the B6 GVH induces an immunodeficiency that encompasses CTL precursors (and possibly T helper cells) and results in suppressor cells that abrogate responses to both trinitrophenyl (TNP)-modified self and third party alloantigens. In contrast, the DBA GVH induces only a T helper cell immunodeficiency and results in suppressor cells selective for class II restricted L3T4+ T helper cells. Chimeric T cells were detected in both types of GVH. In the B6 GVH both L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ donor cells were observed, although Lyt-2+ cells predominated. In the DBA GVH, donor T cells were almost exclusively of the L3T4+ phenotype. The lack of appreciable donor Lyt-2+ cells in the DBA GVH can be explained by a defect in the DBA donor inoculum manifested by a naturally occurring two-fold reduction in Lyt-2+ cell numbers as well as a nine-fold reduction in CTL precursors with anti-F1 specificity. T cells in the DBA inoculum, therefore, are predominantly L3T4+. A similar defect induced in B6 donor cells by anti-Lyt2 antibody and complement not only converted the suppressive GVH to a stimulatory GVH, as measured by anti-DNA antibodies, but also resulted in a T cell immune deficiency characteristic of the DBA GVH, i.e., a selective loss of the TNP-self CTL response. Thus the presence or absence of adequate numbers of functioning Lyt-2+ cells in the donor inoculum is correlated with the development of either a suppressive or stimulatory GVH, respectively. That donor Lyt-2+ cells mediate a suppressive GVH through cytolytic mechanisms is evidenced by greater than 70% reduction in B6 GVH spleen cell numbers and readily demonstrable anti-F1 CTL activity by these spleen cells despite an inability to generate anti-allogeneic or anti-TNP self CTL activity even in the presence of added T helper factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Expression of the J11d marker on peripheral T lymphocytes of MRL-lpr/lpr mice

MRL-lpr/lpr (lpr) mice spontaneously develop massive lymphadenopathy resulting from the expansion of a unique population of Thy-1+ cells which are CD4- and CD8- (double negative) and the nature of which is not clear. The antibody J11d has been shown to define a differentiation Ag found on immature thymocytes but not on mature and functional peripheral CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. To analyze the possible relationship between the lpr double-negative T cells and the thymocytes, we investigated the simultaneous expression of J11d and Thy 1 Ag on the double-negative lpr lymph node cells by using two-color immunofluorescent staining technique. We observed that lpr mice at 3 to 4 weeks of age, before the onset of lymphadenopathy, did not have significant numbers (less than 4%) of J11d+ T cells in the periphery, similar to the number found in the control MRL +/+ mice. However, with increasing age of approximately 8 to 10 weeks and coinciding with the appearance of lymphadenopathy, a significant number (approximately 35%) of J11d+ Thy-1+ cells started appearing in the periphery of lpr mice and was maintained until the mice died at 20 to 24 weeks of age. The J11d+ T cells belonged to the abnormal double-negative T cell pool, inasmuch as J11d+ CD4+ or J11d+ CD8+ cells were absent in the lymph nodes of 20-wk-old lpr mice. Furthermore, 20-wk-old lpr mice demonstrated increased numbers (approximately 41%) of double-negative T cells in the thymus, a significant proportion of which were J11d+. In contrast, the 20-wk-old +/+ mice or 4-wk-old lpr mice had only 4% double-negative T cells in the thymus. The present study suggests that a significant number of peripheral double-negative T cells of lpr mice bear the immature thymic differentiation Ag J11d. The possibility that the accumulation of double-negative T cells results from abnormal peripheralization of double-negative J11d+ thymocytes, before complete differentiation into CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, is discussed.     

In situ pulmonary responses of T cell and macrophage subpopulations to a challenge infection in mice vaccinated with irradiated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni

Cellular events related to the resistance induced by radiation-attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni were determined immunocytochemically in the lung tissues of mice. Thy-1, CD4, CD8, Mac-1 MOMA-1, MOMA-2, and Ia antigens were identified on cryostat sections by the immunogold-silver staining technique with specific monoclonal antibodies. In mice vaccinated with irradiated cercariae and challenged with normal cercariae, the number of Thy-1+ and CD4+ lymphocytes was increased dramatically relative to the normal numbers both in perivascular tissues and in focal cellular aggregates in the parenchyma of the lungs. A high ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells was noted in the aggregates, both in perivascular tissues and in the foci. Macrophages showing positive reactions for Mac-1, MOMA-1, MOMA-2, and Ia also infiltrated the foci. In control mice that were unvaccinated and challenged, foci showing positive reactions for the lymphocyte subpopulations barely were detectable in the lungs by day 14. The numbers of Thy-1+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in controls were considerably less than those in vaccinated/challenged mice over the period of observation. In conclusion, pulmonary cellular aggregates in vaccinated and challenged mice were composed mainly of Thy-1+ and CD4+ cell populations characteristic of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. Thus, Thy-1+ and CD4+ cells in the lungs of vaccinated mice may be involved in the elimination of challenge parasites through DTH reactions.     

Expression and function of a 90-kilodalton homodimeric molecule (10D1 antigen) on human thymocytes

The 10D1 Ag is a 90-kDa homodimeric molecule specifically expressed on a subpopulation of human T cells, and is involved in an alternative pathway of T cell activation. In the present study, we have examined the expression and function of the 10D1 Ag on human thymocytes. Three-color FMF analysis showed that the 10D1 Ag was highly expressed on minor but distinct subpopulations of double-negative and CD4 single-positive thymocytes, and weakly on a part of double-positive thymocytes, but not on CD8 single-positive thymocytes. In double-negative thymocytes, the vast majority of 10D1+ cells were immature thymocytes of CD7+2+3- phenotype. Interestingly, 10D1 mAb could induce the proliferation of CD4 single-positive thymocytes in the presence of goat anti-mouse Ig to cross-link the 10D1 Ag. The treatment of thymocytes with OKT4 mAb plus C but not with OKT8 mAb plus C totally abrogated the proliferative response induced by 10D1 mAb, indicating that the 10D1-responsible thymocytes were of CD4+8- phenotype. This 10D1 mAb-induced thymocyte proliferation was perfectly dependent on the endogenous IL-2/IL-2R system since a complete inhibition was observed with anti-IL-2 and anti-IL-2R mAb. The proliferating CD4 single positive thymocytes predominantly expressed the IL-2R alpha (p55) but not a detectable level of the IL-2R beta (p75). These results indicate that, although the 10D1 Ag can be detected on the CD7+2+3-4-8- thymocytes, its functional expression is restricted to a minor more mature CD4+ thymocyte population as well as in peripheral blood T cells, and the implications of these findings are discussed.     

Donor CD8 T cells and IFN-gamma are critical for sex-based differences in donor CD4 T cell engraftment and lupus-like phenotype in short-term chronic graft-versus-host disease mice

The transfer of unfractionated DBA/2J (DBA) splenocytes into B6D2F(1) (DBA → F(1)) mice results in greater donor CD4 T cell engraftment in females at day 14 that persists long-term and mediates greater female lupus-like renal disease. Although donor CD8 T cells have no demonstrated role in lupus pathogenesis in this model, we recently observed that depletion of donor CD8 T cells prior to transfer eliminates sex-based differences in renal disease long-term. In this study, we demonstrate that greater day 14 female donor CD4 engraftment is also critically dependent on donor CD8 T cells. Male DBA → F(1) mice exhibit stronger CD8-dependent day 8-10 graft-versus-host (GVH) and counter-regulatory host-versus-graft (HVG) responses, followed by stronger homeostatic contraction (days 10-12). The weaker day 10-12 GVH and HVG in females are followed by persistent donor T cell activation and increasing proliferation, expansion, and cytokine production from days 12 to 14. Lastly, greater female day 14 donor T cell engraftment, activation, and cytokine production were lost with in vivo IFN-γ neutralization from days 6 to 14. We conclude the following: 1) donor CD8 T cells enhance day 10 proliferation of donor CD4 T cells in both sexes; and 2) a weaker GVH/HVG in females allows prolonged survival of donor CD4 and CD8 T cells, allowing persistent activation. These results support the novel conclusion that sex-based differences in suboptimal donor CD8 CTL activation are critical for shaping sex-based differences in donor CD4 T cell engraftment at 2 wk and lupus-like disease long-term.     

An antigen-specific DTH-initiating cell clone. Functional, phenotypical, and partial molecular characterization

The elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions in mice is due to the sequential action of two different Ag-specific Thy-1+ cells. An early-acting DTH-initiating cell in the lymphoid organs produces a circulating, Ag-specific factor that is functionally analogous to IgE antibody and initiates DTH by sensitizing the local tissue for release of the vasoactive amine serotonin. In picryl chloride (PC1) or oxazolone (OX) contact sensitivity, this DTH-initiating factor is called PC1-F and OX-F respectively, and is Ag-specific, but MHC-unrestricted. The phenotype of polyclonal DTH-initiating cells was recently shown to be unusual for an Ag-specific cell. The phenotype was: Thy-1+, Lyt-1+ (CD5), triple negative (CD4-, CD8-, and CD3-), B220+ (Ly-5, CD45RA), positive for IL-3 receptors, but not IL-2 receptors, and positive for antibodies that react with a putative constant or framework portion of DTH-initiating factors such as anti-PC1-F antibodies and 14-30 mAb. We report here the generation of an Ag-specific DTH-initiating cell clone from nude mice that were immunized and boosted by contact sensitization with OX. By flow microfluorometry analysis, this clone has a similar unique surface phenotype, and by in vivo assay has the same functional abilities, as polyclonal DTH-initiating cells. The clone produces Ag-specific OX-F that acts in an Ag-specific manner to initiate DTH. Moreover, specific cDNA probes and Northern blot analysis of the clone demonstrated that the Ag-specific DTH-initiating cells are Thy-1+, CD3-, and IL-3R+. Thus, DTH initiation is due to an Ag-specific lymphoid cell, that produces an Ag-specific factor, and that has a unique surface phenotype for Ag-specific cells; namely, Thy-1+, CD5+, sIg-, CD4-, CD8-, CD3-, CD45RA+, IL-2R-, and IL-3R+.     

Phenotypic characterization of thymic prelymphoma cells of B10 mice treated with split-dose irradiation

Using an intrathymic injection assay on B10 Thy-1 congenic mice, it was demonstrated that thymic prelymphoma cells first developed within the thymuses from 4 to 8 days after split-dose irradiation and were detected in more than 63% of the test donor thymuses when examined at 21 and 31 days after irradiation. Moreover, some mice (25%) at 2 mo after split-dose irradiation had already developed thymic lymphomas in their thymuses. To characterize these thymic prelymphoma cells, the thymocytes from B10 Thy-1.1 mice 1 mo after irradiation were stained with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAb and were sorted into four subpopulations. These fractionated cells were injected into the recipient thymuses to examine which subpopulation contained thymic prelymphoma cells. The results indicated that thymic prelymphoma cells existed mainly in CD4- CD8- and CD4- CD8+ thymocyte subpopulations and also in CD4+ CD8+ subpopulation. T cell lymphomas derived from CD4- CD8- prelymphoma cells had mainly CD4- CD8- or CD4- CD8+ phenotypes. T cell lymphomas developed from CD4- CD8+ prelymphoma cells mainly expressed CD4- CD8+ or CD4+ CD8+ phenotype. T cell lymphomas originating from CD4+ CD8+ prelymphoma cells were mainly CD4+ CD8+ but some CD4- CD8+ or CD4+ CD8- cells were also present. These thymic prelymphoma cells were further characterized phenotypically in relation to their expression of the marker defined by the mAb against J11d marker and TL-2 (thymus-leukemia) Ag, which is not expressed on normal thymocytes of B10.Thy-1.2 or B10.Thy-1.1 strain, but appears on the thymocytes of lymphomagenic irradiated mice. The results indicated that the prelymphoma cells existed in J11d+, TL-2+ cells.     

Limited T cell receptor beta-chain usage in the sperm whale myoglobin 110-121/E alpha dA beta d response by H-2d congenic mouse strains.

The specificity and TCR gene usage of a panel of sperm whale myoglobin (SpWMb)-reactive T cell clones from DBA/2 mice have previously been characterized, to study structure-function relationships between components of the ternary complex consisting of Ag, TCR, and MHC class II molecules, whose interaction leads to Th cell activation. These DBA/2 clones were specific for epitopes within the residue 110 to 121 region of SpWMb, in the context of the mixed isotype molecule E alpha dA beta d, and expressed the TCR V beta 8.2 gene element. SpWMb-specific T cell hybridomas from the H-2d-congenic B10.D2 mouse strain, which differs from the DBA/2 strain only in the non-MHC background, were generated and compared with the T cell hybridomas from DBA/2 mice, in order to investigate the influence of non-MHC genes on the specificity of the T cell response to the 110-121 epitope. V beta usage by these hybridomas was very homogeneous; three of three DBA/2 and eight of nine B10.D2 hybridomas specific for the 110-121 epitope, in the context of the mixed isotype molecule E alpha dA beta d, expressed the V beta 8.2 gene product. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of D beta, J beta, and N regions were also similar. One 110-121/E alpha dA beta d-specific B10.D2 hybridoma used V beta 7, a V beta that is clonally deleted in DBA/2 mice. These experiments suggest that a similar set of TCR beta genes are used to respond to a given epitope, regardless of non-MHC background, and they support the hypothesis that, despite great variability between individuals in their non-MHC background genes, human HLA-associated diseases might result from the formation of a particular ternary complex consisting of a shared MHC molecule, a common "disease-associated" epitope, and a shared TCR.     

Responsiveness of fetal and adult CD4-, CD8- thymocytes to T cell activation

Day-14 fetal CD4-, CD8- thymocytes showed a greater proliferative response to PMA + IL-4 than did adult double-negative thymocytes. In contrast, adult double-negative thymocytes were more responsive to PMA + IL-1 + IL-2 or to IL-1 + IL-2 alone. The adult double-negative thymocytes showed significantly greater proliferation than fetal thymocytes after stimulation via anti-CD3 or anti-Thy-1 in the presence or absence of interleukins (IL-1 + IL-2 or IL-4). Adult CD4-, CD8- thymocytes also exhibited greater calcium mobilization following anti-CD3 stimulation IL-2-dependent activation with anti-Thy-1 or IL-1 + IL-2 in the absence of PMA resulted in marked expansion of CD 3+, F23.1+, CD4-, CD8- thymocytes, a population absent in fetal thymocytes but constituting 4% of pre-cultured CD4-, CD8- adult thymocytes. IL-4 + PMA failed to expand this CD 3+ population. It is hypothesized that before expression of functional TCR, T cell development may be more dependent on activation pathways not using IL-2; after TCR expression, IL-2-dependent pathways, including Thy-1-mediated stimulation, become functional.     

Tumor allograft rejection is mainly mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes stimulated with class I alloantigens in cooperation with CD4+ helper T cells recognizing class II alloantigens

Presence of the three major pathways (self-Ia restricted, allo-K/D restricted, and allo-Ia restricted pathways) in generating class I-restricted CTL has been reported. The present study was conducted in order to clarify which of the three is the main pathway in mediating tumor allograft rejection. One million EL-4 tumor cells derived from C57BL/6 (B6;H-2b) were inoculated into the various strains of mice that were genetically different from B6. Class I (K/D) Ag-disparate but IA Ag-matched B6.C-H-2bm1 (bm1;Kbm1, IAb, IE-, Db) mice or B10.A (5R) (5R; b, b, k, d) mice could not reject 1 x 10(6) EL-4 tumor cells in spite of the strong generation of CTL against the B6 Ag, suggesting the inability of the self-Ia restricted pathway and the allo-K/D restricted pathway in rejecting tumor allografts. The strains of mice being capable of rejecting EL-4 tumor were disparate from B6 mice in both class I and class II (IA) Ag, suggesting the importance of the allo-Ia restricted pathway in rejecting tumor allografts. To generate CTL against Kb Ag via the allo-Ia restricted pathway in the bm1 mice, 2 x 10(7) B6.H-2bm12 (bm12; b, bm12, -, b) spleen cells were injected into the bm1 mice as a supplementary source of allogeneic APC that possibly raise CTL through CD4+ Th cells of bm1 origin. These bm1 mice became capable of rejecting 1 x 10(6) EL-4 tumor cells. The same was observed in the combination of bm12----B10.A (5R) (b, b, k, d) mice. To further elucidate the role of the class II restricted CD4+ Th cells, anti-CD4 antibody was repeatedly i.v. administered into the C3H/He (C3H; H-2k) or the DBA/2 (DBA; H-2d) mice on days 0, 1, and 4. Injection of anti-CD4 antibody led 1 x 10(6) EL-4 tumor cells to grow and kill the C3H and DBA mice. These results suggest that the main effector CTL pathway involved in tumor allograft rejection is allo-Ia restricted pathway where CD8+ precursor CTL were stimulated by the class II-restricted CD4+ Th cells.     

Enhancement of in vitro tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cytotoxicity by heteroconjugated antibodies.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were obtained from a mouse melanoma cell line (CL 62) transfected with the gene for the human melanoma Ag p97. TIL were cultured with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2 for up to 38 days. Flow cytometry identified these TIL as Thy-1.2 + ve/CD4-ve/CD8 + ve cells. A heteroconjugated antibody 500A2 x 96.5, specific for both the CD3 Ag on TIL and the p97 Ag on CL 62 melanoma cells, was prepared using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)-propionate as a linking agent. TIL alone demonstrated low levels of cytotoxicity against autologous CL 62 tumor and also against the parental K1735 tumor and an allogeneic murine melanoma (B16). The addition of 500A2 x 96.5 heteroconjugated antibody enhanced TIL-mediated lysis of CL 62 tumor, but not of the K1735 or B16 tumors. This enhanced cytotoxicity was elicited at E:T ratios as low as 0.4:1, and in TIL cultured for 7 to 38 days. These results suggest that hetero-conjugated antibody may enhance the anti-tumor effect of TIL in vivo.     

Allosuppressor- and allohelper-T cells in acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease. IV. Activation of donor allosuppressor cells is confined to acute GVHD

Groups of nonirradiated BDF1 mice were injected with unseparated spleen cells from B10, B10.D2, or DBA/2 donors. The diverse clinical and pathologic symptoms that developed during the course of the ensuing graft-vs-host reaction (GVHR) were related to the functional subsets of donor-T cells activated in the host. The activation of F1-specific donor T suppressor (TS) cells was confined to those GVH F1 mice that developed acute GVH disease (GVHD) (donor B10 or B10.D2). Moreover, activation in these GVH F1 mice of the Lyt-1-2+ donor TS cells sharply preceded the onset of and coincided with (week 2 to 6) the suppressive pathologic symptoms characteristic of acute GVHD, such as pancytopenia and suppression of splenic IgG production. The activation of these alloreactive TS effector cells was briefly preceded by the activation of F1-specific Lyt-1+-2- donor T helper (TH) cells and stimulation of the host's lymphoid tissue. Thus, in acute GVHD, a sequential alloactivation first of donor TH and then of TS cells was found. Those F1 mice that recovered from acute GVHD and developed stimulatory pathologic symptoms showed a concomitant loss of donor TS cell activity. An initial activation of F1-specific Lyt-1 +2- donor TH cells was also found in that parent----F1 combination (donor DBA/2), which failed to develop acute GVHD. Significantly in that combination, the alloactivation of donor TH cells was not followed by activation of significant numbers of donor TS cells. Instead, the DBA/2-injected BDF1 mice directly developed a persistent increase in splenic Ig formation and lupus-like GVHD.     

IL-3 dependence of a Thy-1lo, B220+, IL-3 receptor-positive antigen-specific DTH-initiating clone.

The elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions in mice is due to the sequential action of two different antigen-specific Thy-1+ cells. We have previously cloned the early-acting DTH-initiating cell from nude mice that were immunized and boosted by contact sensitization with oxazolone (OX). This clone WP-3.27 produces an antigen-specific factor, OX-F, that acts in an Ag-specific manner to initiate DTH. The clone was phenotyped as a Thy-1+, B220+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8- cell. In this report, we further detail the characteristics of this unusual Ag-specific DTH-initiating cell clone. By flow cytometry analysis, WP-3.27 is Thy-1lo, Lyt-1+ (CD5+), but CD3-, TCR-alpha beta-, and TCR-gamma delta-. Moreover, WP-3.27 does not express surface immunoglobulins but expresses B220 (CD45RA), and also some macrophage markers such as Mac-1, F4-80, and MHC class II after gamma-IFN treatment. Interestingly, this clone also expresses IL-3 receptors (IL-3R) and not IL-2R. In addition to the Ag-specific DTH-initiating factor, WP-3.27 constitutively produces IL-3. Inhibition of proliferation of WP-3.27 with an anti-mouse IL-3 monoclonal antibody suggests that the clone WP-3.27 is IL-3-dependent, at least partially. WP-3.27 also constitutively produces IL-1 and IL-6, but not TNF-alpha. LPS activation of the clone resulted in a net increase of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production. Thus, this Ag-specific DTH-initiating cell clone makes a unique set of cytokines. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that clone WP-3.27 transcribes mRNA encoding IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, but not for TNF-beta (lymphotoxin). The nature of this unusual cell, which displays characteristics of more than one cell lineage, is discussed.