Pien Tze Huang alleviates Concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by regulating intestinal microbiota and memory regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine has used the drug Pien Tze Huang(PTH),a classic prescription,to treat autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).However,the precise mode of action is still unknown.AIM To investigate the mechanism of PTH in an AIH mouse model by determining the changes in gut microbiota structure and memory regulatory T(mTreg)cells functional levels.METHODS Following induction of the AIH mouse model induced by Concanavalin A(Con A),prophylactic administration of PTH was given for 10 d.The levels of mTreg cells were measured by flow cytometry,and intestinal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA analysis,while western blotting was used to identify activation of the toll-like receptor(TLR)2,TLR4/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),and CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathways.RESULTS In the liver of mice with AIH,PTH relieved the pathological damage and reduced the numbers of T helper type 17 cells and interferon-γ,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-2,IL-6,and IL-21 expression.Simultaneously,PTH stimulated the abundance of helpful bacteria,promoted activation of the TLR2 signal,which may enhance Treg/mTreg cells quantity to produce IL-10,and suppressed activation of the TLR4/NF-κB and CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathways.CONCLUSION PTH regulates intestinal microbiota balance and restores mTreg cells to alleviate experimental AIH,which is closely related to the TLR/CXCL16/CXCR6/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Stem cell-like memory T cells:Role in viral infections and autoimmunity

Stem cell-like memory T(TSCM)cells possess stem cell properties including multipotency and self-renewal and are being recognized as emerging players in various human diseases.Advanced technologies such as multiparametric flowcytometry and single cell sequencing have enabled their identification and molecular characterization.In case of chronic viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus-1,CD4+T_(SCM) cells,serve as major reservoirs of the latent virus.However,during immune activation and functional exhaustion of effector T cells,these cells also possess the potential to replenish the pool of functional effector cells to curtail the infection.More recently,these cells are speculated to play important role in protective immunity following acute viral infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 and might be amenable for therapeutics by ex vivo expansion.Similarly,studies are also investigating their pathological role in driving autoimmune responses.However,there are several gaps in the understanding of the role of T_(SCM) cells in viral and autoimmune diseases to make them potential therapeutic targets.In this minireview,we have attempted an updated compilation of the dyadic role of these complex T_(SCM) cells during such human diseases along with their biology and transcriptional programs.

IL-18和IL-37b对naive CD4^(+)T细胞分化的影响及其在哮喘中的作用研究进展

过敏性哮喘(allergic asthma,AA)是呼吸系统最常见的过敏性疾病之一,CD4^(+)T细胞相关亚型在AA发病中起重要作用。白细胞介素(IL)-18和IL-37b通过与IL-18Rα结合调控naive CD4^(+)T细胞的分化进而在AA中起拮抗作用。鉴于此,了解IL-18和IL-37b在AA naive CD4^(+)T细胞分化中的作用对于AA的病机、诊疗及其相关生物制剂的研发具有重要意义。

Effects of GW5074 in the process of imDCs inducing differentiation of naive CD4^+ T cells into Treg cells in vitro

Objective To establish a stable and efficient method of culturing imDCs in vitro,and to explore the effect of GW5074,which blocks ERK1 /2 signal pathway in the process of immature dentritic cells ( imDCs) on inducing differentiation of the naive allogeneic CD4 + T

AML患者外周血中TCR Vβ亚家族naive T细胞的检测

目的检测急性髓性白血病(AML)患者外周血中TCR23个Vβ亚家族的T细胞受体删除DNA环(sjTRECs)的存在特点,从而间接了解AML患者相应Vβ亚家族naiveT细胞的近期胸腺输出情况。方法利用半巢式PCR分别扩增32例AML患者每5×104和1×104个外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中的23个Vβ亚家族sjTRECs,10例正常人外周血作为对照。结果在5×104和1×104两种PBMCs水平,AML患者检出sjTRECs的Vβ亚家族数分别为(5.09±3.28)和(2.59±2.06)个,与正常人的(13.70±2.67)和(5.50±2.07)个相比,两组的差异均有统计学意义(两组均为P=0.000)。AML患者5×104个PBMCs中约可检测到5/23(20%)个Vβ亚家族sjTRECs,并且有13个Vβ亚家族sjTRECs的检出率明显低于正常人水平,其中Vβ10-和Vβ14-Dβ1sjTRECs的检出率最低,而Vβ21最高。不同FAB分型AML患者间的检出差别未显示出统计学意义。32例AML患者检出sjTRECs的Vβ亚家族数量差别较大(1～15个),年龄与检出的亚家族数量呈负相关,<30岁者的检出量高于≥30岁者,尤其在5×104个PBMCs水平差异有统计学意义(r=-0.481,P=0.005)。结论AML患者胸腺近期输出的23个Vβ亚家族naiveT细胞存在不同程度的缺失或水平降低,表明AML患者存在严重的细胞免疫功能缺陷以及T细胞谱系重建的能力和潜能严重受损。

雌性和雄性非肥胖糖尿病小鼠中CD8^(+)T细胞分化亚群差异研究

目的以雌性和雄性非肥胖糖尿病(nonobese diabetic,NOD)小鼠以及健康对照癌症研究所(institute for cancer research,ICR)小鼠为研究对象,比较分析初始、效应、记忆、耗竭以及调节性CD8^(+)T细胞分化亚群差异,探讨1型糖尿病(type 1 diabetes,T1D)背景下的性别因素对CD8^(+)T细胞分化命运的影响。方法采用流式细胞术检测雌雄NOD小鼠脾脏、胰腺引流淋巴结(pancreatic draining lymph nodes,pLN)、胰腺浸润淋巴细胞(pancreas-infiltrating lymphocytes,PIL)、初始T细胞(naive T cells,T_(N))、中枢记忆T细胞(central memory T cells,T_(CM))、效应T细胞(effector T cells,T_(EFF))、效应前体样T细胞(effector precursor T cells,T_(EP))、耗竭T细胞(exhausted T cells,T_(EX))、耗竭前体T细胞(precursor exhausted T cells,T_(PEX))以及调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Tregs)等CD8^(+)T细胞分化亚群的频率和表型差异。结果与雄性NOD小鼠比较,雌性NOD小鼠pLN及PIL中IFN-γ^(+)、CD107a^(+)和CCL5^(+)CD8^(+)T_(EFF)频率显著升高(P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05),同时脾脏中CD8^(+)T_(N)、CD8^(+)T_(CM)、CD8^(+)T_(EX)、CD8^(+)T_(PEX)和CD122^(+)CD8^(+)Tregs亚群的频率均显著降低(P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.001);而雌性和雄性ICR小鼠体内除CD122^(+)CD8^(+)Tregs差异变化与NOD小鼠一致(P<0.05),其余上述各CD8^(+)T细胞分化亚群无显著差异。结论雄激素可能通过抑制记忆T细胞向效应T细胞分化,同时促进效应T细胞功能耗竭,导致雌雄发病率差异。

Memory stem T cells generated by Wnt signaling from blood of human renal clear cell carcinoma patients

Objective: Memory stem T cells(Tscm) have attracted attention because of their enhanced self-renewal, multipotent capacity, and anti-tumor capacities. However, little is known about Tscm in patients with renal clear cell carcinoma(RCC) and the role of Wnt signaling in these cells. We evaluated Tscm from RCC patients concerning their activation of Wnt signaling in vitro and explored the mechanism of preferential survival.Methods: Flow cytometry identified surface markers and cytokines produced from accumulated Tscm in the presence of the glycogen synthase kinase beta inhibitor TWS119. Apoptosis was evaluated after induction using tumor necrosis factor-alpha.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to investigate the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-КB)pathway.Results: RCC patients had a similar percentage of CD4^+ and CD8^+ Tscm as healthy donors. Activation of Wnt signaling by TWS119 resulted in the accumulation of Tscm in activated T cells, but reversal of differentiated T cells to Tscm was not achieved.Preferential survival of Tscm was associated with increased anti-apoptotic ability mediated downstream of the NF-КB activation pathway.Conclusions: The finding that Tscm can accumulate by Wnt signaling in vitro in blood from RCC patients will help in devising new cancer therapy strategies of Tscm-based adoptive immunotherapy, such as dendritic cell-stimulated Tscm, and T cell receptor or chimeric antigen receptor-engineered Tscm.

流式分选仪的创新调试及在初始T细胞纯化中的应用

针对敏感细胞样本如何调试流式分选仪以获得高纯度、高活性的分选产物是众多流式分选从业者关注的问题。该文以流式分选仪FACSAria Fusion为例,首创性地将工程师调试界面与用户调试界面相结合调整系统默认最低样品进样压力,并配合85μm喷嘴,按照用户常规操作流程,在流速1.0的情况下对小鼠原代初始T细胞进行纯化,并对产物的质量进行检测。结果证明阐述的调试方法可以成功地获得高纯度初始T细胞,并且诱导分化成的调节T细胞产生特异转录因子Foxp3的能力与未分选细胞相当。

Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and tissue resident memory cells in colorectal cancer based on microsatellite instability and BRAF status

BACKGROUND Recent studies in non-colorectal malignancy have associated T resident memory(T_(RM)) cells with improved patient survival. It is unknown if T_(RM) plays a role in colorectal cancer(CRC).AIM To examine the potential role of T_(RM) cells in providing immunogenicity in CRC stratified by microsatellite instability(MSI) and BRAF status.METHODS Patients with known MSI and BRAF mutation status were eligible for inclusion in this study. CRC tumour sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin were microscopically reviewed and the images scanned prior to assessment for location of invading edge and core of tumour. Sequential sections were prepared for quantitative multiplex immunohistochemistry(IHC) staining. Opal Multiplex IHC staining was performed with appropriate positive and negative controls and imaged using a standard fluorescent microscope fitted with a spectral scanning camera(Mantra) in conjunction with Mantra snap software. Images were unmixed and annotated in in Form 2.2.0. Statistical analysis was performed using Graphpad Prism Version 7 and Stata Version 15.RESULTS Seventy-two patients with known MSI and BRAF status were included in the study. All patients were assessed for MSI by IHC and high resolution capillary electrophoresis testing and 44 of these patients successfully underwent quantitative multiplex IHC staining. Overall, there was a statistically significant increase in CD8+ T_(RM) cells in the MSI(BRAF mutant and wild type) group over the microsatellite stable(MSS) group. There was a statistically significant difference in CD8+ T_(RM) between high level MSI(MSI-H):BRAF mutant [22.57, 95% confidence interval(CI): 14.31-30.84] vs MSS [8.031(95%CI: 4.698-11.36)], P = 0.0076 and MSI-H:BRAF wild type [16.18(95%CI: 10.44-21.93)] vs MSS [8.031(95%CI: 4.698-11.36)], P = 0.0279. There was no statistically significant difference in CD8 T cells(both CD8+CD103-and CD8+CD103+T_(RM)) between MSI-H: BRAF mutant and wild type CRC.CONCLUSION This study has shown that CD8+ T_(RM) are found in greater abundance in MSI-H CRC, both BRAF mutant and MSI-H:BRAF wild type, when compared with their MSS counterpart. CD8+ T_(RM) may play a role in the immunogenicity in MSI-H CRC(BRAF mutant and BRAF wild type). Further studies should focus on the potential immunogenic qualities of T_(RM) cells and investigate potential immunotherapeutic approaches to improve treatment and survival associated with CRC.

IL-1B促进naive T细胞向Th22细胞分化及在非小细胞肺癌中表达的相关性研究

目的:研究白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)促进nave T细胞向Th22细胞转化的机制及其在非小细胞肺癌患者外周血中表达的相关性和临床意义。方法:采用CD4^+nave T细胞磁珠分选试剂盒分离健康人外周血单个核细胞中的CD4^+nave T细胞,加入转化生长因子β和IL-2促进其分化增殖,分化过程中加入IL-1β诱导其向Th22细胞的分化,流式细胞术检测CD4^+IL-22^+T细胞的比例,ELISA检测IL-22的表达。选择我院确诊为非小细胞肺癌的患者60人,其中Ⅰ期18人,Ⅱ期20人,Ⅲ期13人,IV期9人,同时选择健康人25例,用流式细胞术检测外周血中Th22(CD4^+IL-22^+)细胞的比例,ELISA检测血清中IL-1β和IL-22的水平。结果:IL-1β可以诱导na6ve T细胞向Th22细胞转化并促进IL-22的分泌(P<0.05)。非小细胞肺癌患者外周血中Th22细胞比例及IL-22和IL-1β的水平均高于健康人且与临床分期相关(P<0.05)。结论:IL-1β可以诱导Th22细胞的分化和IL-22的表达,三者的水平和非小细胞肺癌的进展相关,可能参与免疫抑制并促进非小细胞肺癌的发生。

Low-dose intralesional injection of 5-fluorouracil and triamcinolone reduces tissue resident memory T cells in chronic eczema

BACKGROUND Tissue resident memory T(TRM)cells have been reported to play a significant role in the pathogenesis and relapse of chronic eczema.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of the intralesional injection of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)and triamcinolone(TA)with those associated with TA alone for the treatment of chronic eczema.METHODS A total of 168 patients were randomized to 5-FU+TA or TA groups and received a one-time intralesional injection of 5-FU+TA or TA only.Biopsies were collected before and 2 wk after treatment for evaluation of histopathological changes.All patients were followed up monthly for up to 1 year.RESULTS No serious adverse event was observed in either group.Although the mean atopic dermatitis severity index scores and effective rates were comparable between the two groups after 2 wk of treatment,the relapse rate was significantly lower in the 5-FU+TA group than in the TA group.Histological examination showed significantly fewer CD8^(+)and CD103^(+)T cells but not CD4^(+)T cells in the 5-FU+TA group.CONCLUSION One-time intralesional injection of 5-FU+TA is effective and safe for chronic eczema treatment and can further reduce the retention of T_(RM) cells in the lesional skin and the relapse rate of chronic eczema.

Memory CD8+ T cell differentiation in viral infection: A cell for all seasons

Chronic viral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are major global health problems affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Virus-specific CD8+ T cells play an important role in the course and outcome of these viral infections and it is hypothesized that altered or impaired differentiation of virus- specific CD8+ T cells contributes to the development of persistence and/or disease progression. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms responsible for functional differentiation of CD8+ T cells is essential for the generation of successful therapies aiming to strengthen the adaptive component of the immune system.

记忆型双特异性CAR-T细胞的工艺优化研究

目的 研究能够显著降低CAR-T细胞的体外分化程度、维持记忆型CAR-T(CAR-Tm)细胞高浓度稳态的新工艺路径,提升和延长CAR-T细胞的肿瘤杀伤效果。方法 采用流式细胞分析(FACS)技术,对原工艺采用CD3/CD28磁珠分选CD3^(+)T细胞,在体外培养过程中不断补充IL-2细胞因子,和新工艺利用CD4/CD8磁珠分选出CD4^(+)和CD8^(+)T细胞并用耦联人源化抗体纳米粒(TransAct)活化,在体外培养过程中添加IL-7和IL-15培养所得T细胞分别进行CAR-Tm细胞亚群分析,并通过对比不同TransAct用量和培养时间获得最优制备工艺。结果 新工艺得到的低分化记忆型CAR-T(CAR-Tscm^(+)CAR-Tcm亚群)细胞占总T细胞和CAR-T细胞的比例显著高于原工艺(P<0.05),TransAct的最佳用量为20%,细胞体外最佳培养时间为12 d。结论 联用IL-7细胞因子、IL-15细胞因子、TransAct有利于维持靶向CD19/CD37双特异性低分化CAR-Tm细胞高位数量和维持时间,提高持久性,为其后续临床研究及产业化奠定了基础。

基于组织驻留记忆CD4^(+)T细胞探讨溃疡性结肠炎复发过程中“伏邪”的生物学基础

从组织驻留记忆CD4^(+)T细胞(CD4^(+)TRM)细胞入手,综述其生理病理特点及其在溃疡性结肠炎(UC)复发中的作用,探讨UC复发过程中“伏邪”的生物学基础,为中医药抗UC复发提供新策略。CD4^(+)TRM细胞在UC的发病机制中具有核心作用,参与了UC肠道炎症的反复发作。伏邪是感邪后藏伏于体内不立即发病的邪气,或湿热瘀血等邪气并未随疾病治愈根除而是潜伏于内的病邪,是UC反复发作、迁延难愈的主要病因。伏邪的致病特点与CD4^(+)TRM细胞免疫记忆、感而引动、待机而发的特性暗相契合,因此CD4^(+)TRM细胞可能是UC“伏邪”的生物学基础之一。

肿瘤相关性贫血与SARS-CoV-2特异性记忆CD8^(+)T细胞丰度的相关性分析

目的 探讨肿瘤相关性贫血对外周血中新型冠状病毒特异性记忆CD8^(+)T细胞丰度的影响。方法 纳入2023年6-7月在火箭军特色医学中心住院治疗的HLA-A*11∶01阳性中晚期实体瘤患者34例。根据血红蛋白浓度将患者分为无贫血组(HGB≥120 g/L,n=14)、轻度贫血组(120 g/L> HGB≥90 g/L,n=14)与中重度贫血组(HGB<90 g/L,n=6)。分离外周血单个核细胞,利用新冠病毒抗原表位刺激并扩增记忆CD8^(+)T细胞,使用ELISPOT筛选阳性表位,构建Tetramer。利用扩增后细胞检测Tetramer+细胞比例、数量及ELISPOT斑点数,用以反映新冠病毒特异性记忆CD8^(+)T细胞丰度。分析患者血红蛋白浓度与Tetramer+细胞比例、数量及ELISPOT斑点数的相关性。分析不同贫血组Tetramer+细胞比例、数量及ELISPOT斑点数的差异。结果 34例患者中男性25例,女性9例;年龄36~78岁,中位年龄57岁。患者扩增后Tetramer+细胞比例、数量及ELISPOT斑点数与血红蛋白浓度均呈正相关关系(P<0.05);与无贫血组相比,中重度贫血组患者Tetramer+细胞比例、数量及ELISPOT斑点数均明显降低(P<0.05)。结论 肿瘤患者外周血新冠病毒特异性记忆CD8^(+)T细胞的丰度与血红蛋白浓度正相关,提示肿瘤相关性贫血可能通过降低外周血中记忆CD8^(+)T细胞的丰度导致患者病毒易感性增高。

Memory Phenotypes of HIV-Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses Are Independent of Functional Activity as Defined by Cytokine Output

Objectives: The definition of CD8+ T cell attributes that mediate protective immunity in HIV dis-ease progression has not been clearly defined. Although our ability to characterize these cells continues to improve, the extent to which specific memory phenotypic categories of CD8+ T cells reliably represent their functional attributes remains controversial. Methods: We simultaneously assessed surface phenotype and functionality of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells by multiparametric flow cytometry, measuring five CD8+ T cell functions (CD107a, IFNγ, MIP-1β, TNFα and IL2) and phenotypic markers CCR7, CD45RA, and CD27, in parallel in 24 HIV-infected individuals. Results: Virus-specific responses were contained within all eight phenotypic categories defined using CCR7, CD45RA, and CD27. Phenotypic profiles of HIV-specific cells differed from CEF-specific cells, with HIV-specific cells having higher levels of CD45RA (p = 0.008). Interestingly a large portion of CEF and HIV-specific cells were found within previously undefined phenotypes CCR7+CD27-CD45RA+ (14.6% and 17.2%, respectively) and CCR7+CD27-CD45RA-(14.8% and 15.8%, respectively). In addition, up to 10% - 20% of responding cells were phenotypically “naive”. Additionally, memory phenotypes of cells exhibiting monofunctional and polyfunctional responses frequently differed, and failed to associate with a consistent phenotype representing functionally active cells. Conclusion: These data suggest that particularly after antigen stimulation, that surface phenotypes defined by CCR7, CD27 and CD45RA expression on antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, reflect a wide range of immunological functions, and that no single phenotype defined by memory marker expression can reliably be used to identify functional capacity.

Are CD45RO^(+)and CD45RA^(-)genuine markers for bovine memory T cells?

Effective vaccination in duces memory T cells,which protect the host against pathogen re-infecti ons.Therefore,detection of memory T cells is essential for evaluating vaccine efficacy,which was originally dependent on cytokine induction assays.Currently,two isoforms of CD45 tyrosine phosphatase,CD45RO expression and CD45RA exclusion(CD45RO^(+)/CD45RA^(-)) are used extensively for detecting memory T cells in cattle.The CD45RO^(+)/CD45RA^(-) markers were first established in humans around three decades ago,and were adopted in cattle soon after.However,in the last two decades,some published data in humans have challenged the initial paradigm,and required multiple markers for identifying memoryT cells.On the contrary,memoryT cell detection in cattle still mostly relies on CD45RO^(+)/CD45RA^(-)despite some con troversial evidence.In this review,we summarized the current literature to exami ne if CD45RO^(+)/CD45RA^(-)are valid markers for detecting memoryT cells in cattle.It seems CD45RA and CD45RO(CD45RA/RO)as markers for identifyi ng bovine memoryT cells are questi on able.

吉兰-巴雷综合征患者外周血记忆性T细胞和记忆性B细胞亚群的变化及其临床意义

目的探讨吉兰-巴雷综合征(Guillain-Barrésyndrome,GBS)患者外周血记忆性T细胞和记忆性B细胞亚群的变化及其临床意义。方法选取2018年6月至2020年12月于徐州医科大学附属医院神经内科住院的16例GBS患者作为研究组,并选取同期16名来院的健康体检者作为对照组。流式细胞术检测两组入选者的外周血T细胞亚群,包括CD4^(+)初始T细胞(naive T cells,TN)、CD4^(+)中央记忆性T细胞(central memory T cells,TCM)、CD4^(+)效应记忆性T细胞(effector memory T cells,TEM)和CD4^(+)终末分化效应记忆性T细胞(terminally differentiated effector memory T cells,TEMRA)及记忆性B细胞、浆母细胞的占比并分析其临床价值。结果与对照组相比,研究组患者的CD4^(+)TN及CD8^(+)TN均明显下降(P<0.05),CD4^(+)TEM及CD8^(+)TEM均明显升高(P<0.05),TCM及TEMRA在CD4和CD8上的比例比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,研究组记忆性B细胞比例明显升高(P<0.05),两组患者间浆母细胞占比比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。GBS患者外周血CD4^(+)TEM及CD8^(+)TEM占比与Hughes残疾评分、脑脊液蛋白、脑脊液免疫球蛋白G及记忆性B细胞占比均呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论GBS患者存在记忆性T细胞和记忆性B细胞亚群免疫紊乱,CD4^(+)TEM细胞、CD8^(+)TEM细胞及记忆性B细胞占比升高,这很可能是GBS发病过程中重要的外周免疫机制。

组织驻留记忆T细胞在实体瘤治疗中的研究进展

血液循环中存在大量的免疫细胞,它们能够阻止病原微生物的感染和入侵,并在肿瘤防治中发挥重要作用。组织驻留记忆T细胞(TRM)是一个特殊的肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞亚群,能够无限期地驻留在组织中,对其同源抗原作出快速的免疫应答。TRM包括CD4^(+)和CD8^(+)两个亚群,均以表达CD69和CD103标记物为主要特征,通过产生杀伤性细胞因子等方式,激活固有免疫和适应性免疫应答。TRM在减缓肿瘤发生发展、抑制转移和降低肿瘤复发等方面的作用已在多种实体瘤中得到证实。为深入研究这些细胞的生物学特性和免疫机制,在查阅文献的基础上,梳理组织驻留记忆T细胞的基本生物学特征,综述CD8^(+)TRM细胞在乳腺癌、非小细胞肺癌和肝癌等实体瘤治疗中的作用和研究进展,旨在为肿瘤治疗提供新的策略和靶点。

Function of Helper T Cells in the Memory CTL-mediated Anti-tumor Immunity

To investigate the role of CD4 + helper T (Th) cells in the memory CTL-mediated anti-tumor immunity, the RAG-1 gene knock out mice were adoptively transferred with OT-1 cells to generate the memory CTL, the C57BL/6 mice immunized with the epitope peptide of OVA specific Th cells and with different adjuvants were adoptively transferred with these memory-CTLs, and then the animals were challenged with tumor cells EG7. It was found that although the simple immunization of mice with the epitope peptide of the OVA specific Th cells could generate more effect CTL, but this effect was not so strong enough to resist completely the challenges with tumor cells. Nevertheless, the memory CTL-mediated anti-tumor immune effect required the helps of Th1 and Th2 cells. The cross-regulation between Th1 and Th2 cells seemed to be beneficial for the host to generate more effector CTL for mounting an efficient anti-tumor response. It concluded that the interaction between Th1 and Th2 cells might be more important than the single subset of Th cells in the memory CTL-mediated anti-tumor immune response. More attention should be paid in this regard for the future studies.