The Natural Killer Cell-Like Lytic Activity Expressed by Cytolytic T Lymphocytes is Associated with the Expression of a Novel Function-Associated Molecule

Experiments were performed to analyse the natural killer cell (NK)-like cytotoxicity frequently expressed by human antigen-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). To this end, several monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) previously shown to identify a novel function-associated molecule (FAM) involved in human NK function were utilized. Flow cytometry revealed that these MoAbs reacted with the majority of human NK, but only with a subpopulation of CTL isolated from primary mixed lymphocyte cultures. Preincubation of CTL with the MoAbs inhibited the NK-like lysis of K562 targets. Experiments with anti-CD3 MoAb demonstrated that neither the NK-like cytotoxicity of CTL nor the lytic activity of NK were mediated by the CD3 complex. Expression of the novel FAM was found to develop in T-cell cultures at the time that NK-like cytotoxicity was observed. Repeated in vitro antigenic stimulation of CTL was shown to result in loss of NK-like cytotoxicity, as well as loss of the FAM on the CTL surface. Thus, NK-like cytotoxicity displayed by antigen-specific CTL appears to be mediated by a novel FAM that is identical to that structure found on NK.     

Tumor cell lysis by T cells distinct from NK cells and alloantigen-specific cytotoxic T cells

The generation and mechanism of tumor cell lysis by cytotoxic T cells derived from natural killer cell (NK) and allospecific cytotoxic T cell (CTL)-depleted precursors were examined. NK cells and the precursors of alloantigen-specific CTL were deleted from human peripheral blood lymphocytes by preincubation with L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (Leu-Leu-OMe). Following phytohemagglutinin activation, CD3(+), CD4(+) or CD8(+), CD11b(-), CD16(-), and NKH1(-) killer cells capable of lysing a broad spectrum of tumor targets were generated. Cytolysis was not strictly lectin dependent as similar killer cells were generated by activating Leu-Leu-OMe-treated T cells with immobilized monoclonal antibodies to the CD3 molecular complex. The rate of tumor cell lysis by these mitogen-activated T cells was slower than that mediated by CD3(-) NK cells. Tumor cell lysis by mitogen-activated killers was inhibited by anti-CD3 but was not restricted by major histocompatibility complex antigen expression on target cells or by CD4/CD8 expression on effectors. Although similar to NK cells in susceptibility to anti-LFA-1 inhibition of killing, these mitogen-activated killer cells were more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of anti-CD2 than were CD3(-)-activated NK-like cells. Thus, tumor cell lysis by CD3(+) cytotoxic cells generated from Leu-Leu-OMe-treated lymphocytes appears to be mediated in part by mechanisms distinct from those employed by CD3(-) NK cells or antigen-specific CTL.     

Specificity of γδ Receptor-Bearing Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Isolated from Human Peripheral Blood

T-cell receptor (TcR)-gamma delta-bearing lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of two healthy donors by immunomagnetic separation and subsequently cultured. The cell lines generated showed two distinct patterns of cytotoxicity. One TcR-gamma delta + cell line (HG.D) lysed K562 and U937 target cells, three TcR-gamma delta + cell lines lysed Daudi cells, and one TcR-gamma delta + cell line showed a shift from the former to the latter specificity during culture. Cold target inhibition experiments showed that the HG.D effector cells which were cytotoxic against U937 cells also lysed K562 cells. The cytotoxicity against Daudi cells was strongly inhibited by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) against the CD3 complex, whereas the cytotoxicity of the HG.D cell line against K562 and U937 was unaffected by such antibodies. The cytotoxicity against Daudi cells was also strongly inhibited in the presence of anti-TcR-gamma delta MoAb. However, in two of the Daudi-specific cell lines, strong cytotoxicity against K562 cells was induced by anti-TcR-gamma delta MoAb. Anti-LFA-1 MoAb caused only a partial inhibition of cytotoxicity, while anti-CD2 and anti-TcR-alpha beta MoAb were found to have no effect. The results indicate that human gamma delta receptor-bearing T cells demonstrate a certain degree of target cell specificity, and that recognition of some target cells may be mediated through the TcR-gamma delta.     

Human recombinant IL-4 decreases the emergence of non-specific cytolytic cells and favours the appearance of memory cells (CD4+CD45RO+) in the IL-2-driven development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against autologous ovarian tumour cells.

As IL-4 and IL-6 have also been reported to promote the development of T lymphocytes such as IL-2, we investigated their role in the development of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against autologous ovarian tumours in mixed lymphocyte tumour cultures (MLTC). Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from five ovarian carcinoma (OC) patients were incubated with autologous OC cells at a PBL:OC cell ratio of 20:1 in IL-2 alone (50 U/ml for the first week and 200 U/ml thereafter) or with IL-4 (100 U/ml) and/or IL-6 (5 U/ml). Neither IL-4 nor IL-6 improved lymphocyte proliferation consistently. In contrast, IL-4 reduced significantly the development of LAK activity as assayed against Daudi cell line, and decreased modestly the emergence of natural killer (NK) activity as assayed against K562. This property was not shared by IL-6. The prevention of the development of non-specific cytolytic activity (LAK and NK activities) was much stronger when the MLTC was started with IL-4 in the absence of IL-2 during the first week in culture. A concomitant drop in NKH-1 expression (CD56) was observed. By inhibiting the emergence of non-specific cytotoxicity, IL-4 provided better evidence of the specific cytolytic activity directed at ovarian cells. In parallel, a significant increase in the generation of memory cells (CD4+CD45RO+) was observed with IL-4. In conclusion, in this model, IL-4 added before IL-2 decreases significantly the emergence of non-specific cytotoxic cells, and promotes the generation of memory cells. These properties may be of interest in the design of strategies aimed at obtaining tumour-specific cells for investigational and immunotherapeutic purposes.     

Localization and identification of granzymes A and B-expressing cells in normal human lymphoid tissue and peripheral blood.

Cytoplasmic granules from activated natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) contain a pore-forming protein, perforin, and several homologous serine proteinases called granzymes. Expression of these proteins correlates with the cytolytic potential of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Using a panel of MoAbs specific for human granzyme A and B, respectively, expression of these proteinases in non-pathological lymphoid tissue and peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) subpopulations was investigated. Using immunohistochemistry and double stainings, the phenotype of granzyme-expressing cells in lymphoid tissue was investigated. Granzyme-positive cells were detected in all lymphoid tissues tested. No large differences in the number and distribution between granzyme A- and granzyme B-positive cells were observed. The highest number of positive cells was located in the red pulp of the spleen. Significant numbers were detected in tonsil, lymph nodes, liver and thymus. Low numbers were present in the lamina propria of non-inflamed stomach, small intestine and colon. Phenotypic analysis and cell sorting showed that most of the granzyme-positive cells in lymphoid tissue and PBL consisted of CD3-CD16+CD56+ lymphocytes. Hardly any granzyme-positive CD3+CD8+ CTL were present in peripheral blood. The synthesis of granzyme A as well as B by both CD3+CD16+CD56+ and CD3+CD8+ cells in peripheral blood was increased upon IL-2 stimulation. These results indicate that in normal lymphoid tissue the predominant cytolytic cell population is formed by the NK cells, and activated CTL are rare.     

Cytolytic effector function is present in resting peripheral T lymphocytes.

Antigen-specific cytotoxic killer lymphocytes (CTLs) represent one of the major effector functions of the immune system. It is well established that, as a consequence of TCR recognition of the antigen-bearing target cell, resting T lymphocytes develop into fully active antigen-specific CTLs. In contrast, natural killer (NK) cells are immediately lytic upon contact with an appropriate target cell. The lytic machinery of CTLs and NK cells is thought to include the contents of their cytoplasmic granules, in particular the pore-forming protein perforin. Here we report direct cytolytic activity by resting peripheral CD3+CD8+ T cells as a result of TCR-CD3 binding to the target cell; the murine OKT3 hybridoma (anti-human CD3) was used as a target. The cytotoxicity was more pronounced in the CD8+CD45RO+ population, which contains 'memory' T cells, than in the reciprocal CD8+CD45RA+ subset; CD8+CD4- mature thymocytes were non-cytotoxic. The cytolytic potential of these populations correlated with the presence or absence of perforin. The results demonstrate that the cytolytic machinery of T cells develops post-thymically and can be immediately triggered by TCR-CD3 stimulation.     

Mapping functional epitopes of the human LFA-1 glycoprotein: monoclonal antibody inhibition of NK and CTL effectors

Anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) was originally identified by screening antibodies for their ability to inhibit cytolysis in the absence of complement. Anti-LFA-1 MoAb has been shown to inhibit both natural killer (NK) and cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated cytolysis. To further define the utilization of this molecule in cell-mediated cytolysis, we used a panel of MoAb to functional epitopes on both the alpha and beta chains of the LFA-1 heterodimer. The panel was used to compare OKT3- NK effectors and OKT3+ CTL clones. As expected, function-associated MoAb to CTL antigens (T3, T8, LFA-2) and target cell antigens (HLA, LFA-3) blocked only CTL clones and not NK effectors. In contrast, anti-LFA-1 MoAb blocked both NK effectors and CTL clones. In addition, the panel of anti-LFA-1 MoAb demonstrated an identical hierarchy of functionally relevant LFA-1 epitopes. Given the similar utilization of LFA-1 in NK and CTL mediated cytotoxicity assays, we explored the ability of MoAb to different epitopes on LFA-1 to inhibit conjugate formation. Anti-LFA-1 MoAb inhibition of NK-target binding paralleled the inhibition of CTL-target binding. Thus, functional epitopes on the LFA-1 molecule have been defined for NK and CTL effectors. The identical hierarchy of functional epitopes indicates that the LFA-1 molecule is similarly utilized in NK and CTL mediated cytotoxicity and that the relevant epitopes are involved in effector-target conjugate formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression and role of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in human NK and T lymphocyte subsets

We recently reported evidence of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) involvement in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and in lytic granule exocytosis. In the present study, different subpopulations of human PBL were investigated in relation to PC-PLC enzyme expression. While a substantial intracellular amount of PC-PLC was detected in all lymphoid subsets, expression of this enzyme on the outer membrane surface reached high levels only in NK cells, was present at low levels in B lymphocytes and in some TCR gamma/delta T cells and was practically absent in CD4(+) and CD8(+ )T lymphocytes. Moreover, in NK cells two different subpopulations were identified, CD56(dim) PC-PLC(bright) and CD56(bright) PC-PLC(low/-) cells, corresponding to distinct subsets with cytolytic and immunoregulatory functions, respectively. Interestingly, the PC-PLC expression level on the NK membrane surface correlated closely with that of the CD16 receptor, suggesting a possible relationship between enzyme externalization and NK cell maturation. In summary, our results suggest that a high PC-PLC expression on the cell membrane surface of PBL is a peculiarity of NK cytolytic cells, in which the enzyme is apparently involved in the ability of this subset to lyse sensitive target cells.     

Bone marrow and peripheral blood natural killer cell activity in lymphomas. Its response to IL-2.

Natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity was simultaneously investigated in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from nine Hodgkin's disease (HD) and 15 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) untreated patients. Twenty-five PBL samples and seven bone marrow specimens from healthy individuals were also included as control group (C). NK cell activity was evaluated in basal condition and post-stimulation with human recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2). Data were expressed in K values (number of BMMC or PBL needed to lyse 50% of the target cells). In basal condition, both HD and NHL patients showed a NK cell activity comparable to the C group, both in BMMC (HD, K = 2.48 +/- 1.3; NHL, K = 3.8 +/- 2.0; C, K = 3.2 +/- 0.7) and PBL (HD, K = 2.0 +/- 1.0; NHL, K = 2.3 +/- 1.0; C, K = 2.2 +/- 0.2). Stimulation with rIL-2 induced a significant and comparable enhancement of the NK activity in PBL from HD, NHL and C while the response to rIL-2 of the BMMC in most of the HD and NHL patients was significantly greater than the C group. Responder cells were characterized by negative selection with specific MoAb plus complement as a CD3-, CD16+, CD56+ cytotoxic cell and further confirmed by flow cytometry. We postulate that IL-2 activation of bone marrow NK cell precursors, in addition to enhancing the activity of circulating NK, may be of value for the therapeutic rationale of IL-2 in patients with lymphoma.     

Clonal analysis of liver-derived T cells of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Lymphocyte infiltration in liver tissue is one important histological finding in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). So far, functional analyses of lymphocytes in PBC have focused on circulating lymphocytes, whereas lymphocytes at the involved site, the liver, have not been examined functionally. We have established interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent T lymphocyte lines (TLL) and clones (TLC) from liver biopsies of 14 patients with PBC. Phenotypic analysis using the monoclonal antibodies MT910 (CD2), MT811 (CD8), and MT151 (CD4) revealed that in nine of 14 TLL cytotoxic-suppressor T cells predominated (CD8+:52-84%; CD4+:14-48%), whereas in five of 14 TLL a preponderance of the CD4+ subpopulation was found (CD4+:56-73%; CD8+:28-45%). From 10 patients 137 TLC were generated which phenotypically correlated to the TLLs. We have tested the cytotoxic potential of seven TLL and 43 TLC in LDCC (lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity), NK (natural killing) and ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) assays. All TLL and all but one CD8+ TLC tested showed high activity in the LDCC assay, reflecting the cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T cells (CTL). CD4+ clones with LDCC activity were rarely found. NK activity and K cell activity could only be found in two clones. For the first time TLC and TLL from liver tissue of PBC patients could be generated. The high cytotoxic activity displayed by T cells derived from the liver indicates an important role for this immunological mechanism in the tissue damaging process.     

Predominant recognition of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) pX gene products by human CD8+ cytotoxic T cells directed against HTLV-I-infected cells

We established long-term cell lines of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of a patient with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), an HTLV-I-carrier with Sj?gren syndrome, and an asymptomatic HTLV-I-carrier, by repeated stimulation with autologous HTLV-I-infected T cells in vitro. CTL derived from the patient with HAM/TSP expressed CD8 antigen, and their function was restricted by HLA-A2. They showed cytotoxic effects predominantly against the target cells expressing HTLV-I p40tax among the autologous B cell lines infected with vaccinia recombinants containing various HTLV-I genes which served as targets. These data are consistent with the previously reported findings that fresh PBL of HAM/TSP patients contain p40tax-specific CTL activity. Furthermore, CTL derived from the patient with Sj?gren syndrome without neurological involvement also demonstrated cytotoxicity predominantly to p40tax. The cytotoxicity to the target cells experimentally expressing p40tax was blocked by unlabeled HTLV-I-infected cells possessing HLA-A2. HTLV-I-specific cytotoxicity was also inhibited by unlabeled B cells bearing p40tax. Thus, HTLV-I p40tax-specific cytotoxicity is mediated by the major CTL population activated by native HTLV-I antigens in patients with HAM/TSP or Sj?gren syndrome. In contrast to the CTL of these patients, CTL similarly induced from the asymptomatic HTLV-I-carrier, which were highly cytotoxic to autologous HTLV-I-infected T cells, did not show significant levels of cytotoxicity to autologous B cells expressing p40tax.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Monoclonal Antibodies against Leucoagglutinin-Reactive Human T-Lymphocyte Surface Components

A monoclonal antibody, K46M (IgM kappa), obtained after immunization with leucoagglutinin (La)-reactive T-cell surface components, stimulated human lymphocytes to proliferate. It induced maximal proliferation at greater than 20 micrograms IgM/ml after 3-4 days of culture. Cells stimulated by K46M produced interleukin 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and expressed receptors for IL-2 and transferrin. The majority of the activated cells were phenotypically T cells as defined by monoclonal antibodies against CD3 and CD2, and an increase in the K46M-positive cells was also observed during the activation period. K46M-activated cells display major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted cytotoxicity against several cultured target cells. The frequencies of the cytotoxic and of the proliferative precursor cells were determined using a limiting dilution assay. K46M seems to activate a larger fraction of cytotoxic precursor cells against Molt 4 than against K562, but the statistical significance of these observations requires further exploration. Both K46M or La activated 40% of PBL to proliferate, whereas 70% of PBL were induced by OKT3. However, the frequency of K46M-activated cells was 40% only when the lymphocytes were plated at low cell densities, i.e. less than 0.5 cells per well. At higher densities an inhibition of proliferation was seen that resulted in a biphasic response curve, indicating that the activation of PBL by K46M was not a single hit event. This was not found with either La or OKT3. Whether K46M, in contrast to OKT3 and La, activates a subpopulation with suppressor activity remains to be established.     

Enhancement of Human Spontaneous Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity by a Monoclonal Antibody against the Large Sialoglycoprotein (CD 43) on Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

A murine monoclonal antibody, MoAb B1B6 (IgG1 chi), which recognizes the large sialoglycoprotein (LSGP) on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) effectively enhanced the spontaneous cytotoxicity of these cells against the natural killer (NK)-sensitive target cells K562 and Molt-4. Whereas preincubation of the lymphocytes with MoAb B1B6 resulted in increased cytotoxicity, preincubation of the target cells had no effect, indicating that the MoAb amplified cytotoxicity at the effector cell level. Kinetic analysis of the data revealed no differences between the control and the MoAb-treated lymphocytes with regard to Vmax, usually considered to reflect the overall lytic potential of the cells. The slopes of the saturation curves, however, differed significantly for the two cell populations, indicating a substantial increment in the activity of the MoAb-treated cells. When studied at the single cell level and with K562 as targets, treatment of PBL with the MoAb resulted in the recruitment of new effector lymphocytes from the pool of non-binding cells. In contrast, when Molt-4 cells were employed as targets, no additional effector cells were recruited. These results indicate that the enhanced cytotoxicity induced by MoAb B1B6 is the result of either recruitment of new effector lymphocytes or of an increased recycling capacity of preexisting effector cells. Together with previous observations, these findings support the conclusion that LSGP belongs to the set of surface molecules which regulate human lymphocyte activation.     

Both LFA-1-positive and -deficient T cell clones require the CD2/LFA-3 interaction for specific cytolytic activation.

We investigated the capacity of T lymphocytes from a leukocyte adhesion-deficient (LAD) patient to respond to alloantigen. Leukocytes of this patient completely lacked LFA-1 surface expression due to the absence of mRNA coding for the LFA-1 beta chain. Despite the absence of LFA-1, T lymphocytes obtained from this patient, cultured with allogeneic stimulator cells (lymphoblastoid B cells JY), were capable of lysing JY cells. Furthermore, two T cell clones (one CD4+ and one CD8+), generated from this lymphocyte culture, specifically lysed the allogeneic lymphoblastoid JY cells. The cytolytic capacity of LFA-1-negative T lymphocytes and T cell clones was comparable to that of control LFA-1-positive T cells with allospecificity against JY. Detailed analysis of the CD4 positive and LFA-1-negative T cell clone demonstrated that it specifically recognized HLA-DQ. Antibody inhibition studies showed that the CTL/target cell interaction was mediated through the CD2/LFA-3 adhesion pathway. LFA-1 expressed by the target cells did not participate in the CTL/target cell conjugate formation and contributed only minimally to the cytotoxic activity. Moreover, when allogeneic LFA-1-deficient B cells, bearing the appropriate HLA-DQ alloantigen, were used as target cells, significant levels of specific cytotoxicity were measured, further excluding a role for LFA-1 in this interaction. The adhesion molecules, VLA-4, CD44 and L-selectin (LECAM1) were not involved. These results demonstrate that LFA-1-negative T lymphocytes can exert allospecific cytotoxicity and that CTL/target cell contact is mediated through the CD2/LFA-3 route. This observation may explain in part why in LAD patients viral infections, cleared largely by T cells, are less frequently observed than bacterial infections, in which phagocytic cells play a major role.     

Surface markers of human natural killer cells as analyzed in a modified single cell cytotoxicity assay on poly-L-lysine coated cover slips

A modified single cell cytotoxicity assay using poly-L-lysine coated cover slips (PLL-SCCA) was employed to study the frequency and surface marker profile of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with NK reactivity against K 562 target cells. When compared with the previously described agarose single cell cytotoxicity assay (A-SCCA) identical results were obtained. For 13 donors tested 18.1 +/- 4.4% of the PBL formed conjugates with K 562 and 2.7 +/- 1.6% displayed NK reactivity. In contrast to the A-SCCA, the PLL-modified assay permits direct identification of both conjugate forming (TBC) and cytolytic PBL (NK) by means of surface markers. Indirect immunofluorescence studies with monoclonal anti-PBL antibodies revealed that neither the plating procedures nor the incubation conditions employed affected the expression of the antigens recognized by these reagents. This method of directly identifying NK cells showed that OKM1+ cells were enriched among the NK cells as compared to PBL and TBC (55% vs. 23% and 43%, respectively). In contrast, the OKT3+ or Leu1+ fraction of the NK cells was reduced as compared to PBL and TBC. However, using this method of identification at the effector cell level, a substantial proportion of the NK cells were OKT3+ or Leu1+ (57% or 58% respectively, 7 donors). Approximately 25% of the NK cells were Leu2a+ and 30% were Leu3a+, respectively. However, the size of the Leu3a+ fraction varied considerably with individual donors and the size of this fraction appeared to be inversely related to that of the donors NK pool.     

Agonistic Effects of Anti-CD2 and Anti-CD16 Antibodies on Human Natural Killer Killing

Two monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), 9-1 (anti-CD2) and 3G8 (anti-CD16), were previously shown to enhance the cytotoxic activity of human natural killer (NK) cells. The present study examined the effect of 9-1 and 3G8 with different effector and target cells to determine whether they activate NK cells through a common mechanism. Analysis of purified lymphocyte subpopulations demonstrated that the CD3+CD16+CD3- NK effector cell population is enhanced by both antibodies, while purified CD2+CD16-CD3+ T cells are not activated by either antibody. Although both antibodies enhance killing of K-562 and Daudi, killing of T-cell lines is enhanced by 9-1 and inhibited by 3G8. In contrast, killing of the promyelocytic cell line, U-937 is inhibited by 9-1 and enhanced by 3G8. On NK-susceptible cells the pattern of enhancement with 3G8, an IgG1 MoAb, is consistent with the pattern of target cell expression of an Fc receptor, FcR II, known to bind IgG1 antibodies. This suggests that 3G8 may cross-link effector and target cells through CD16 on the effectors and FcR II on these targets. This could activate NK killing by a mechanism similar to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity reactions (ADCC) with the MoAb in the reverse orientation. The failure of 3G8 F(ab')2 fragments to enhance NK killing, further supports the reverse ADCC mechanism of enhancement by 3G8. The pattern of enhancement mediated by 9-1, an IgG3 MoAb, is not correlated with any target cell Fc-receptor known to bind IgG3 MoAb. The effect of 9-1 may result, instead, from its binding to the unique 9-1 epitope on the CD2 molecule involved in CD2-mediated T-cell activation, as previously described. Alternative mechanisms, including activation of NK killing by 9-1 mediated cross-linking of CD2 and CD16 on the effector cells, have also been discussed.     

Alloantigen-specific killing is mediated by CD8-positive T cells in fish

CD8-positive (CD8⁺) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have antigen-specific cytotoxic activity. In fish, however, CTL expressing CD8 on their cell surface have not been identified. In order to characterize the cells involved in specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity in teleosts, we separated and sorted ginbuna kidney leucocytes into CD8α⁺, CD4⁺ and surface IgM (sIgM)⁺ cells by magnetic activated cell sorting using monoclonal antibodies and examined their cytotoxic activities. Effector donor ginbuna (OB1 clone) were sensitized by allografting scales from S3N clone fish followed by injection of an allogeneic cell line (CFS) derived from S3N fish. In cytotoxic assays, target cells were labeled with CFSE and cytotoxicity was calculated based on the number of viable target cells using flow cytometry. CD8α⁺ cells from sensitized OB1 fish showed relatively high cytotoxicity against CFS cells (immunogen) but not against allogeneic CFK cells (third party) nor isogeneic CFO cells. Pre-sensitized sIgM⁺ cells exhibited cytotoxicity against not only CFS cells but also CFK cells. However, CD4⁺ or CD8α^? CD4^?sIgM^? cells as well as cells from non-sensitized fish did not show any significant cytotoxic activity. These results suggest that CD8α⁺ cells in fish have characteristics similar to those of CTL in mammals, and that the sIgM⁺ cells include NK-like cells which non-specifically killed the target cells.     

Cytolytic T lymphocytes and antibodies to myocytes in adriamycin-treated BALB/c mice. Evidence for immunity to drug-induced antigens.

Female BALB/c mice were given a single intravenous injection of between 0.1 and 10 mg adriamycin/kg body weight and were killed between 2 and 16 days later. Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the spleen was measured using YAC cell targets. Natural killer cell activity was slightly elevated 2 to 5 days after drug injection and significantly depressed by day 9 compared with spleen cells from untreated animals. Adriamycin-treated mice developed both cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) and antibodies to drug-treated myocytes. Peak CTL response occurred between days 9 and 13, whereas antibody reactivity continued to increase throughout the observation period. The effector cell belonged to the CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation, because cytolytic activity could be reduced by treating the cells with anti-Lyt 2 antibody and complement, whereas anti-L3T4 (CD4+ cell-specific) treatment either had no effect or increased cytotoxicity. Both CTL and antibody reactivity could be absorbed with adriamycin-treated myocyte monolayers but not by non-drug-treated myocytes. Furthermore CTL reactivity could be only partly removed by adriamycin-treated skin fibroblasts. Adriamycin concentrations in the heart were measured by flourometry and demonstrated only a gradual decrease in the drug over the 16-day period. Immunofluorescent staining of myocardial sections demonstrated increased numbers of both T lymphocytes and macrophages in the hearts of adriamycin-treated mice compared with untreated controls.     

Aggregation of MHC class I molecules on a CD8+ alphabeta T cell clone specifically inhibits non-antigen-specific lysis of target cells

MHC class I molecules are target molecules recognized by TCR or NK receptors encoded in the NK gene cluster or leukocyte receptor cluster. We show that aggregation of MHC class I molecules by specific monoclonal antibodies on cytotoxic T cells, inhibits the anti-CD94 redirected lysis of P815. This inhibition is not the consequence of apoptosis or anergy of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In contrast, aggregation of MHC class I molecules does not inhibit either the anti-CD3 redirected cytotoxicity or the CD94-triggered up-regulation of CD25 molecules of the same T cell clone. MHC class I ligand molecules expressed by antigen presenting cells and/or T lymphocytes could therefore be able to modulate nonspecific cytotoxicity upon interaction with MHC class I molecules expressed by effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes.