Significant MLR but not CTL responses against recipient antigens generated in T cells from bone marrow chimeras recovered from acute GVHD

Lethally irradiated AKR mice received BMT from H-2D and minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls)-1 disparate B10.A mice. No GVHD signs were detected in AKR recipients of T cell-depleted BM cells (1 x 10(7)) alone ([B10.A --> AKR] T-). When B10.A splenic T cells (1 x 10(5)) were injected in addition to T cell-depleted BM cells ([B10.A --> AKR] T+), overt GVHD was observed. [B10.A --> AKR] T+ chimeras recovered from the GVHD 8 weeks after BMT. In T cells from these [B10.A --> AKR] T+ chimeras, a substantial population of Mls-1a-reactive Vbeta6+ T cells was present, whereas the Vbeta6+ cells were deleted in [B10.A --> AKR] T- chimeras. T cells from [B10.A --> AKR] T+ chimeras showed considerable MLR but no CTL response against AKR cells (split tolerance). Upon stimulation with AKR stimulators or anti-CD3 MoAb, T cells from [B10.A --> AKR] T+ chimeras produced significantly more IL-4 but significantly less IFN-gamma compared with those from [B10.A --> AKR] T- chimeras or unmanipulated B10.A mice. The serum level of IgG1 in [B10.A --> AKR] T+ chimeras was also significantly higher than that in [B10.A --> AKR] T- or B10.A mice. The present findings suggest that the split tolerance observed in BMT chimeras recovered from GVHD is attributable to the Th2 dominant state.