Role of B7-1 in mediating an immune response to myeloid leukemia cells

A costimulatory signal from B7-1 (CD80) to its counter-receptor CD28 is required for T-cell activation. Many tumors, including most human leukemias, lack expression of B7-1, and this has been suggested to contribute to the failure of immune recognition of these diseases. A murine leukemia model system was developed to assess the potential role of B7-1 in the induction immunity to leukemia cells. The nonleukemic 32Dc13 myeloid cell line was transformed by transfection of the BCR/ABL gene, generating a subline (32Dp210/clone 26) that was leukemic and rapidly lethal to syngeneic, immunocompetent C3H/HeJ mice or T-cell- deficient nude mice. B7-1-modified leukemic cells remained lethal in nude mice, but caused only a transient, nonlethal leukemia in C3H/HeJ mice. After a single exposure to live, nonirradiated B7-1-modified leukemic cells, C3H/HeJ mice developed protective immunity against subsequent challenge with B7-1(-) leukemic cells. Further, hyperimmunization with B7-1(+) leukemic cells prolonged the survival of mice previously injected with a lethal number of B7-1(-) leukemic cells. These results indicate that myeloid leukemic cells may be attractive candidates for B7-1 gene transfer.