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Biomedical subjects

L Moretta

Publications and source records attributed to L Moretta.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Clonal analysis of joint fluid T lymphocytes in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Synovial fluid (SF) lymphocytes from 4 patients with pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and 4 patients with polyarticular JRA were examined for their phenotypic and functional characteristics. In all 8 patients there was a high proportion of activated SF T cells, together with an increased proportion of CD2+CD3- and the presence of CD3+CD4-CD8-WT31- lymphocytes. The functional analysis at the clonal level in 5 patients (427 clones) showed a relevant proportion of cytotoxic T cell clones, which were not confined to typically cytolytic phenotypes, but were also present among CD3+CD4+CD8- cultures. Compared to those with pauciarticular JRA, patients with polyarticular disease had a significantly higher proportion of T cell clones with cytotoxic activity. Although derived from a limited number of patients, our data suggest a direct involvement of T cells in the pathogenetic mechanisms that originate and maintain the articular damage, and the possibility of different or more pronounced T cell reactivities in the clinically more diffuse JRA types.

Adolescent↗

CD16 surface molecules regulate the cytolytic function of CD3CD16+ human natural killer cells.

Monoclonal (IgG) antibodies (MAbs) directed to CD16 molecules efficiently induced lysis of the IgG-binding P815 target cells. A similar effect was observed with selected anti-CD2 MAbs. While combinations of 2 appropriate anti-CD2 MAbs were required for induction of T lymphocyte activation, single stimulatory anti-CD2 MAbs were sufficient for inducing cytolytic function in CD3- CD16+ lymphocytes. In order to study possible regulatory mechanisms existing in the process of activation and induction of the cytolytic machinery of CD3- CD16+ effector cells, we utilized the anti-CD16 OKNK MAb. Being of IgM isotype, the OKNK MAb does not allow cross-linking between CD3- D16+ lymphocytes and target cells. Pre-treatment of effector cells with OKNK MAb sharply inhibited the target cell lysis induced by either anti-CD16 (IgG) MAbs or stimulatory anti-CD2 MAb. Moreover, a strong inhibitory activity of PHA-induced target cell lysis and even of "spontaneous" lysis (at high effector:target ratio) was observed. In contrast, in CD3+ CD16+ clones, OKNK MAb selectively inhibited the cell triggering induced by anti-CD16 MAbs (but not by anti-CD3, anti-CD2 MAbs or PHA). Our data indicate that CD16 receptor molecules expressed by CD3- CD16+ lymphocytes down-regulate cell responses to anti-CD2 MAbs or PHA, and then exert a regulatory role in the cytolytic function of these cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Distribution of T cells bearing different forms of the T cell receptor gamma/delta in normal and pathological human tissues.

Frozen sections from normal and pathologic human tissues were immunostained by the APAAP technique with three mAb directed against different epitopes of the TCR gamma delta; TCR delta 1 which binds to all cells bearing the TCR gamma delta; BB3 and delta TCS1 which, by immunoprecipitation studies, appear to react respectively with the disulfide-linked and nondisulfide-linked form of the TCR gamma delta. In normal thymus, TCR delta 1+ cells accounted for approximately 2% of the CD3+ thymocytes and were about three times more numerous in the medulla than in the cortex. TCR delta 1+ cells were mostly constituted by the delta TCS1 reactive subset (average ratio delta TCS1/BB3: 3.7). In the tonsil, the TCR delta 1+ cells (about 3% of CD3+ elements) were mainly located in the interfollicular area, where they frequently tended to arrange around high endothelium venules. In most samples, TCR delta 1+ cells were distributed beneath to the tonsil epithelium. Unlike thymus, the majority of TCR delta 1+ cells were usually constituted by the BB3-reactive subset (average BB3/delta TCS1 ratio: 2.0). A similar predominance of BB3+ over delta TCS1+ cells was also observed in normal peripheral blood. The spleen was the organ with the highest concentration of TCR delta 1+ cells that, like in the thymus, were mostly represented by delta TCS1+ elements. Noteworthy, the TCR delta 1+ cells were preferentially located in the splenic sinusoids while TCR alpha beta-bearing lymphocytes mostly occupied the periarteriolar sheaths of penicilliary arteries. The majority of neoplastic T cell proliferations studied lacked to express the TCR gamma delta. Two cases of beta F1-(TCR alpha beta-) T lymphoblastic lymphoma, however, were TCR gamma delta+ (delta TCS1+/BB3-). Both of them showed a stage II cortical phenotype, e.g., CD1+/CD3+/CD4+/CD8+/TCR delta 1+. Among inflammatory conditions, an increase of BB3+ cells was observed in close association with necrotic areas in cases of Kikuchi's and tuberculous lymphadenitis. The significance of this finding is under study.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Re-targeting of human lymphocytes expressing the T-cell receptor gamma/delta to ovarian carcinoma cells by the use of bispecific monoclonal antibodies.

TcR gamma/delta+ lymphocytes represent a small subset homogeneously composed of cytolytic T cells displaying unique motility and homing properties. Since the lytic machinery of these cells can be efficiently triggered by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed to the TcR gamma/delta, such MAbs were used for the construction of bispecific MAbs in conjunction with an MAb specific for ovarian carcinoma cells. Hybrid hybridomas were obtained by fusing the Mov19 MAb (IgG2a)-producing hybridoma with either GI (IgG2a) or A13 (IgG1) hybridomas, secreting MAbs specific for 2 peripheral blood subsets of TcR gamma/delta+ lymphocytes. Hybrid hybridomas producing bispecific MAbs were screened according to their ability to induce ovarian carcinoma (IGROVI) target cell lysis by GI+ or A13+ T cell clones, respectively. The GI-derived GM33.9 bispecific MAb induced selective lysis of Mov19+ ovarian carcinoma target cells only by GI+ clones, whereas the A13-derived AM18.4 MAb was effective only in combination with A13+ clones. Neither the anti-TcR gamma/delta nor the Mov19 parental MAbs (used alone or in combination) induced target-cell lysis. The hybrid nature (IgG1/IgG2a) of the AM18.4 bispecific MAb was indicated by 2-color immunofluorescence experiments. Thus, both ovarian carcinoma and A13+ effector cells were double stained by AM18.4 bispecific MAb followed by PE-conjugated anti-IgG1 and FITC-conjugated anti-IgG2a second reagents. Polyclonal TcR gamma/delta+ cells were obtained by direct stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with Sepharose bead-conjugated anti-TcR gamma/delta MAbs and IL-2. The lines so obtained contained more than 90% of TcR gamma/delta+ cells after 4 weeks of culture, with an increase in TcR gamma/delta+ cell numbers ranging from 200 to 1,000-fold. These TcR gamma/delta+ cell lines efficiently lysed ovarian carcinoma target cells in the presence of bispecific MAb and may therefore represent a suitable source of effector cells for induction of ovarian carcinoma cell lysis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Diversity and structure of human T cell receptor delta chain genes in peripheral blood gamma/delta-bearing T lymphocytes.

We have investigated the diversity and repertoire of human TCR delta chain variable gene segments in the human peripheral blood CD4- CD8- (double-negative) population, using rearrangement and expression studies and sequence analyses. 20 TCR delta DNA clones were derived from the RNA of bulk-cultured double-negative T cells and their nucleotide sequences determined. These clones can be classified into six different V delta subfamilies. The distribution, however, was uneven in these cells, with 16 of 20 being derived from the V delta 1 (9) and V delta 2 (7) subfamilies. The remaining subfamilies, V delta 3, V delta 4, V delta 5, and V delta 6, were only represented by one clone each. The majority of these subfamilies seem to consist of a single member, in contrast with the closely linked V alpha subfamilies, which, in most cases, consist of multiple members. Our findings suggest that only a limited number of V delta genes are used in human peripheral blood double-negative T cells and that two major V delta subfamilies (V delta 1 and V delta 2) are used more frequently. Sequence comparison of our cDNA clones to V alpha clones indicates that there is no overlap in usage of V alpha and V delta gene segments, except for the V delta 4 (V alpha 6) subfamily. Comparison of the different V delta sequences suggests that the majority of the sequence diversity is concentrated in the junctions between V, D, and J segments and results from extensive N region diversity.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Monoclonal antibodies which react with the T cell receptor gamma/delta recognize different subsets of CD3+WT31- T lymphocytes.

A polyclonal CD3+4-8-WT31- cell line (termed SFG) was utilized for mice immunization in order to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for the T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta. Hybrid supernatants were screened for their ability to induce SFG cells (but not conventional TcR alpha/beta + CTL lines) to kill the murine Fc receptor-positive P815 target cell line. Three hybrids, termed G1, A13 and F11, were isolated according to this screening. By indirect immunofluorescence G1 mAb reacted with 65% of SFG cells, while A13 stained 26% and F11 75% of cells. Double-fluorescence analysis revealed that G1 and A13 mAb identify two distinct, non-overlapping subsets of cells present in the SFG cell line. The reactivity of the mAb was also analyzed on a panel of representative TcR gamma/delta clones. G1 mAb reacted with 5 clones, that were also stained by the previously described BB3 mAb (recognizing the disulfide-linked form of TcR gamma/delta). These clones failed to react with A13 and delta-TCS-1 mAb (the latter of which is known to react with a non-disulfide-linked form of TcR gamma/delta). Out of six clones that reacted with A13 mAb, four were also delta-TCS-1+, whereas two were delta-TCS-1- and none of them reacted with G1, (or BB3) mAb. In contrast to the mAb above, F11 brightly stained the G1+A13- clones and more weakly the G1-A13+ clones. Moreover, F11 efficiently triggered both types of clones to kill the P815 target cells while G1 and A13 were able to trigger only G1+ or A13+ clones, respectively. None of the mAb above reacted with a large number of CD3+WT31+ clones. Antibody-induced surface antigen modulation experiments indicated that molecules recognized by G1, A13 and F11 were physically associated on cell surface with CD3 determinants. In addition, immunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis (performed on 125I-surface-labeled TcR gamma/delta+ clones) revealed that molecules recognized by G1, A13 and F11 displayed an apparent mol. wt. corresponding to that of CD3-associated TcR molecules, immunoprecipitated by anti-CD3 mAb from the same clones.

Animals↗

Organization and orientation of a human T cell receptor delta chain V gene segment that suggests an inversion mechanism is utilized in its rearrangement.

A human T cell receptor (TcR) delta chain variable region segment, V delta 3, has been mapped 2 kilobases 3' to the constant (C delta) gene. The V delta 3 gene segment is in an inverted transcriptional orientation to the diversity regions (D delta), joining regions (J delta) and C delta gene segments. Analyses of TcR delta cDNA clone, KT041, showed that V delta 3 is linked to D delta 1, D delta 2, J delta 3 and C delta and that this message encodes a potentially functional TcR delta chain. These findings indicate that a functional TcR delta gene can be constructed through a chromosomal inversion, suggesting that in human, chromosomal inversion is one of the important rearrangement mechanisms.

Base Sequence↗

Specificity of human T lymphocytes expressing a gamma/delta T cell antigen receptor. Recognition of a polymorphic determinant of HLA class I molecules by a gamma/delta clone.

Alloreactive clones expressing T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta were derived by limiting dilution from CD3+ CD4- CD8- WT31- populations stimulated in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture. These clones specifically lysed phytohemagglutinin-induced blast cells bearing the stimulating alloantigens, whereas they had no effect on autologous or allogeneic unrelated target cells. Analysis of the reactivity with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for two different subsets of TcR gamma/delta (BB3 and delta-TCS-1) showed that five out of nine clones were BB3+, whereas the remaining reacted with delta-TCS-1. Therefore, we can conclude that both subsets of TcR gamma/delta+ cells are able to specifically recognize and lyse allogeneic cells. mAb directed against the CD3-TcR gamma/delta molecular complex strongly inhibited the specific cytolytic activity of TcR gamma/delta+ clones, whereas they had no effect on the lysis of the natural killer-sensitive K-562 target cells mediated by the same clones. An alloreactive delta-TCS-1+ clone (LM12) was further characterized for its specificity. LM12 clone had been derived after stimulation in mixed lymphocyte culture against donor M.M. (HLA typing: Aw68, 24; B35, w55; DR1, 7). The analysis of a large panel of phytohemagglutinin-induced target cells revealed that only the HLA-A24+ target cells were lysed. The direct evidence that the A24 molecule represented the restriction element was provided by experiments using A24-transfected murine P815 target cells. Thus, clone LM12 efficiently lysed A24-transfected P815 cells, but not the same cells untransfected or transfected with the Cw3 gene. Therefore, it appears that polymorphic determinants of class I major histocompatibility complex molecules can be the target of TcR gamma/delta+ alloreactive cell recognition.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

CK226: a novel surface molecule involved in human T cell activation.

In this report we describe a novel surface molecule, termed CK226, which mediates activation of human T lymphocytes. This molecule was identified by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) CK226 that had been raised against the human leukemic T cell line CEM/K. The CK226 mAb reacted with 10%-35% of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, virtually all monocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and large granular lymphocytes. As demonstrated by two-color cytofluorimetric analysis, the majority of CK226+ lymphocytes were CD3+, whereas a minority coexpressed surface immunoglobulins. Biochemical analysis showed that the surface molecules immunoprecipitated by CK226 mAb from lysates of 125I surface-labeled cloned T lymphocytes were represented by two distinct polypeptides. Their apparent molecular mass was 160 kDa and 80 kDa under nonreducing conditions and 75 kDa and 80 kDa under reducing conditions. CK226 mAb induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and interleukin 2 release. Cell proliferation was optimal in the presence of submitogenic doses of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Finally all T cell clones analyzed for their responsiveness to CK226 mAb released interleukin 2 in the presence of the antibody, regardless of their CD4+ or CD8+ phenotype. Antibody-induced modulation of CD3/T cell receptor molecules inhibited further responses of cloned cells to CK226 mAb. Thus, we conclude that CK226 mAb defines a novel surface molecule which initiates an alternative pathway of T cell activation in humans.

Animals↗

Human thymocytes expressing gamma/delta T-cell receptors.

Expression of T-cell receptors of gamma/delta type characterizes a small subset of peripheral T lymphocytes which is homogeneously composed of cytolytic cells and, in most instances, lack CD4 and CD8 differentiation antigens. By the use of anti-TCR gamma/delta MAbs it is possible to identify two distinct subsets of TCR gamma/delta+ cells that are characterized by a C gamma 1 or C gamma 2-encoded forms of gamma-chain, respectively. While the BB3 MAb-reactive (C gamma 1 encoded) cell subset is prevalent in peripheral blood (PB), these cells represent less than 10% in TCR gamma/delta+ thymocyte populations. In thymus, the majority of cells was found to react with delta-TCSI (or A13) MAbs. Culture of CD4-8- thymocytes (highly enriched in TCR gamma/delta+ cells) in IL-2 resulted in the de novo expression of CD8 surface antigen and of non MHC-restricted cytolytic activity. Cloning of CD4-8- thymocytes resulted, for the most part, in CD3+ TCR gamma/delta+ cells. Moreover, the majority of clones expressed the unusual delta-TCSI+ CD8+ phenotype and lysed the NK-sensitive K562 target cells. Analysis of the immunoprecipitated TCR molecules showed the existence of the (rare) heavy (55 kDa) form of gamma-chain. A redirected killing assay using murine P815 target cells and appropriate "stimulatory" antibodies was further employed for functional analysis of thymus-derived TCR gamma/delta+ clones. While anti-CD3 MAbs efficiently triggered the cytolytic activity of all clones irrespective of their phenotype, MAbs directed to TCR gamma/delta induced efficient lysis only of BB3+ or delta-TCSI+CD8 clones, but not of delta-TCSI+ CD8+ clones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Retargeting of T-cell-receptor gamma/delta+ lymphocytes against tumor cells by bispecific monoclonal antibodies. Induction of cytolytic activity and lymphokine production.

We have recently selected MAbs specific for different molecular forms of the TCR gamma/delta (expressed by distinct cell subsets), able to activate TCR gamma/delta+ cells. Two of these reagents (G1 and A13) were used for the construction of bispecific MAbs in conjunction with a MAb (Mov19) directed to ovarian carcinoma cells, using the hybrid hybridoma technique. The G1-derived bispecific MAb GM33.9 efficiently induced lysis of Mov19+ ovarian carcinoma cell lines (IGROVI and SW626) by G1+ clones in a 4-hr 51Cr-release assay. On the other hand, it was ineffective when Mov19- target cells were used. Comparable results were obtained with the A13-derived AM18.4 bispecific MAb when A13+ clones were used as effector cells. Bispecific MAbs were also able to induce secretion of IL-2 and TNF-alpha by TCR gamma/delta+ clones when Mov19+ target cells were present.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human T lymphocytes expressing gamma/delta T cell antigen receptor.

The majority of mature T lymphocytes express CD3-associated antigen receptor molecules (TCR) formed by alpha and beta chains. Recently, a minor subset has been identified that expresses a different CD3-associated heterodimer composed of gamma and delta chains. The TCR gamma/delta+ cell subset differs from conventional T cells for a number of phenotypic and functional characteristics. The simultaneous lack of both CD4 and CD8 antigens allows to greatly enrich TCR gamma/delta+ cells (by monoclonal antibodies and complement). Cloning of CD4-8- peripheral blood lymphocytes, under limiting dilution conditions, revealed that they are homogeneously composed of cytolytic cells which, in most instances, lyse tumor target cells. The formal proof has been provided that TCR gamma/delta+ cells are able to recognize antigens. Indeed they proliferated in response to allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and MLC-derived TCR gamma/delta+ cells specifically lysed PHA-induced blast cells bearing the stimulating alloantigens. The use of different monoclonal antibodies specific for TCR gamma/delta molecules allowed to identify two distinct subsets which bound BB3 and delta-TCS-1 mAbs, respectively. The BB3-reactive TCR molecules were represented by C gamma 1-encoded disulfide-linked heterodimers, whereas delta-TCS-1 reacted with C gamma 2-encoded nondisulfide-linked molecules. Both BB3 and delta-TCS-1 mAb induced activation of cloned cells expressing the corresponding antigenic determinants (as assessed by measurements of intracellular Ca2+ and lymphokine production or cytolytic activity). Analysis of the unfrequent delta-TCS-1+ clones which express surface CD8 molecules revealed that the "heavy" 55 kDa form of (C gamma 2-encoded) gamma chain is selectively expressed by this cell type. Analysis of the distribution of subsets expressing different TCR gamma/delta isotypes showed that the C gamma 1-encoded, BB3-reactive form is prevalent in the peripheral blood, but virtually absent in the thymus. In contrast, cells expressing the C gamma 2-encoded, delta-TCS-1 reactive form are relatively unfrequent in peripheral blood, but represent the majority of TCR gamma/delta+ thymocytes. In addition, upon culture in rIL-2, approximately half of the delta-TCS-1+ thymocytes expressed CD8 antigen, thus providing further evidence that major differences exist in the distribution of TCR gamma/delta+ subsets in thymus and in peripheral blood.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Surface molecules involved in the activation and regulation of T or natural killer lymphocytes in humans.

The surface molecules that mediate activation of different subsets of T or NK cells have been reviewed. A suitable approach to the study of different lymphocyte activation pathways is provided by mAbs specific for these molecules. MAbs directed to the CD3 surface molecules mediate a polyclonal T-cell activation, whereas mAbs to "clonotypic" structures of TCR only trigger cells bearing the corresponding clonotypic determinant (thus mimicking the effect of antigen/MHC). MAbs directed to appropriate epitopes of CD2 molecules or to CD28 molecules mediate polyclonal T-cell activation, leading to triggering of the functional program of the cell (i.e. proliferation, lymphokine production or activation of the cytolytic machinery). Interaction of specific mAbs with CD3/TCR molecules leads to surface modulation of these molecules which lasts for 48-72 h. During this interval the cell is refractory to any further activation stimulus. No such refractoriness occurs following mAb-induced modulation of CD2 or CD28 surface molecules. The mechanisms by which CD3/TCR modulation results in the inactivation of T-cell function appears to involve the early metabolic steps of T-cell activation, as neither Ca++ mobilization nor IP3 formation could be further induced by any stimulus. The surface molecules and mechanisms involved in the activation of TCR gamma/delta cells are similar to those of TCR alpha/beta + cells. TCR gamma/delta molecules are heterogeneous in size and charge mobility. MAbs directed to one or another form of TCR gamma/delta trigger the functional program of the cell (primarily cytolytic function). However, a receptor form composed of a heavy form (55 kD) of the gamma chain appears to be relatively inefficient in signal transduction upon binding with anti-TCR mAbs. Evidence has also been provided that TCR gamma/delta + cells are capable of (allo)antigen responses and that polymorphic determinants of class I can be recognized (specific lysis of P815 cells transfected with HLA-A24 allele). Although the mechanisms and the surface receptor molecules involved in (CD3-, CD16+) NK cell activation are still poorly understood, several surface molecules have been identified that mediate NK-cell triggering. These include CD2 and CD16 and the novel GL183 molecule which is selectively expressed by a fraction of NK cells and thus identifies a well-defined NK subsets. Under appropriate conditions, mAbs to CD16 or GL183 mediate an inhibitory effect on the NK cell activation. These data suggest that also NK cells are characterized by surface molecules capable of initiating distinct pathways of cell activation and that, similarly to T lymphocytes, mechanisms exist which regulate NK cell function.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Lymphokine production by T-cell clones after human bone marrow transplantation.

T cells recovering after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were analyzed for their phenotypic and functional features by two-color immunofluorescence and a high efficiency cloning technique. A predominance of cells co-expressing natural killer (NK)-related surface antigens, such as Leu 7 (CD57) and CD11b, was detected within both the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets from 5 months postgrafting onward. Such cells are virtually absent among normal circulating CD4+ cells and account for a minority (approximately 30%) of normal CD8+ cells. Postgrafting T cells representative of the whole range of NK-related antigen co-expression were selected from six patients for clonal analyses. In control subjects, 63% and 41% of the CD4+ and CD8+ clones, respectively, produced interleukin-2 (IL-2) whereas approximately 30% of either CD4+ or CD8+ control clones produced interferon (IFN)-gamma. At variance, and irrespective of their CD4+/CD8+ phenotype, lower proportions of BMT recipient-derived clones produced IL-2 (20% and 12%, respectively), whereas the majority of both CD4+ and CD8+ clones (75% and 71%, respectively) released high amounts of IFN-gamma. Purified populations of CD57+/CD11b+ v negative cells from two BMT recipients and two control subjects were cloned and subsequently evaluated for IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. CD57+/CD11b+ cell-derived clones were poor IL-2 producers in both normal subjects and BMT patients. In contrast, IL-2-producing clones were frequent (62% to 79%) among those derived from CD57-/CD11b- cells from normal subjects, whereas they were still represented at lower than normal proportions, ie, 25% to 41%, among clones generated from BMT recipients. CD57+/CD11b+ cells gave rise to comparably high proportions of IFN-gamma producing clones in both normal subjects and BMT recipients (approximately 80%). In contrast, IFN-gamma producing clones were approximately 25% to 50% of CD57-/CD11b- cell-derived clones in both normal subjects and BMT patients. Therefore, while the predominance of NK-related antigen-positive T cells may be predictive of poor IL-2 and high IFN-gamma production, the immune derangement in long-term BMT recipients is further enhanced by the finding that all T cells may be poor IL-2 producers. It is also suggested that IL-2 production is a preferential function of T cells that do not express CD57 and CD11b, whereas IFN-gamma production is attributable to T cells that express CD57 and CD11b.

Antigens, CD↗

Circulating LAK-1 cells and autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) and phenotypical composition of circulating lymphocytes obtained from nine subjects with untreated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); three HCC patients locally treated by means of intraarterial chemoembolization; six subjects with gut-derived carcinoma (GDC); nine chronic active liver disease patients (CALD), and 14 normal controls have been evaluated, using monoclonal antibodies (MAB) against CD5, CD8, CD4 glycoproteins and anti-LAK-1 molecule, a novel 120-KD surface antigen that is present on the membrane of large granular lymphocytes, by means of classical indirect immunofluorescence technique. Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction was significantly reduced in all patients, along with CD4-positive cells that are the responder cells in this reaction. A relative increase in the percentage of LAK cells was also observed in neoplastic patients with a normalization after local treatment of the HCC. In the light of promising results obtained by Rosenberg et al. by adoptive transfer of LAK cells activated with Interleukin-2 (IL2) in various cancers, our results support a similar therapeutic trial in HCC patients.

Adult↗

Specific lysis of allogeneic cells after activation of CD3- lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture.

Human CD3- lymphocyte populations were obtained by treating peripheral blood lymphocytes with mAbs directed to CD3, CD4, and CD8 surface antigens. The resulting populations were cultured with irradiated allogeneic cells; at day 4, 100 U/ml IL-2 were added and cultures continued for an additional 10 d. The resulting populations were CD3-CD2+CD7+ and displayed cytolytic activity against PHA-induced blast cells bearing the stimulating alloantigens but not against autologous or unrelated allogeneic blast cells. When CD3- populations were cultured with irradiated autologous cells, no cytolytic activity could be detected either against autologous or allogeneic blast cells. On the other hand, K562 target cells were lysed by both MLC-derived CD3- cell populations regardless of the origin (autologous or allogeneic) of the stimulating cells. CD3- clones were further derived from MLC-stimulated CD3- populations. These clones displayed a cytolytic pattern similar to the original MLC populations as only specific PHA blasts could be lysed. These clones did not express detectable surface TCR-alpha/beta or -gamma/delta molecules and lacked productive mRNA for TCR alpha and beta chains, while small amounts of TCR-gamma mRNA were detectable in one of four clones tested. Also mRNA for CD3 gamma and delta chains were undetectable in all clones, however, CD3 epsilon mRNA was consistently present.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Two subsets of human T lymphocytes expressing gamma/delta antigen receptor are identifiable by monoclonal antibodies directed to two distinct molecular forms of the receptor.

Two mAbs directed to the TCR-gamma/delta were analyzed for their pattern of reactivity with CD3+WT31- cell populations or clones. In normal individuals, the BB3 mAb reacted with approximately 2/3 of peripheral blood CD3+WT31- lymphocytes, whereas delta-TCS-1 stained approximately 1/3 of such cells. In addition, the sum of the percentages of BB3+ and delta-TCS-1+ cells approximated the percentages of peripheral blood CD3+WT31- lymphocytes in seven normal donors tested. Also, in peripheral blood-derived polyclonal CD3+WT31- populations, cultured in IL-2, cells reacting with one or another mAb accounted for the whole cell population. On the other hand, only delta-TCS-1-reactive cells, but not BB3+ cells, could be detected in unfractionated as well as in CD4-8-thymocyte populations. Analysis of peripheral blood-derived CD3+WT31- clones showed that 70% of 72 clones analyzed reacted with BB3 mAb, but not with delta-TCS-1 mAb. On the other hand, delta-TCS-1 mAb stained the remaining BB3- clones. Five clones expressing medium-low amounts of CD8 antigen were BB3- delta-TCS-1+. Both types of clones lysed the Fc gamma receptor-bearing P815 target cell in the presence of anti-CD3 mAb (but not of mAb directed against HLA-DR, CD7 molecules, or TCR-alpha/beta). In this cytolytic assay, BB3 mAb induced target cell lysis only by BB3+ clones, whereas delta-TCS-1 mAb was effective only with delta-TCS-1+ clones. The CD3-associated surface molecules expressed by BB3+ or delta-TCS-1+ clones were analyzed after cell surface iodination and immunoprecipitation with the corresponding anti-TCR mAb or with anti-CD3 mAb (in digitonin-containing buffer). In SDS-PAGE, molecules immunoprecipitated from 13 BB3+ clones displayed, under nonreducing conditions, a molecular weight of 80 kD (in some cases, a minor 38-kD band could be detected). Under reducing conditions, two major components of 44 and 41 kD (and a minor component of 38 kD) were detected. On the other hand, TCR molecules immunoprecipitated from 11 different delta-TCS-1+ clones appeared as a diffuse band of 41-44 kD, both under reducing and nonreducing conditions (under non-reducing condition, an additional 38-kD band was present). Therefore, BB3+ cells express a disulphide-linked form of TCR-gamma/delta whereas delta-TCS-1+ cells express a non-disulphide-linked form.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗