A critical role of T cell antigen receptor-transduced MHC class I-restricted helper T cells in tumor protection

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 May 31;102(22):7934-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0500357102. Epub 2005 May 20.

Abstract

Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells is one of the most efficient forms of cancer immunotherapy. However, the isolation of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells is limited because only few tumor-associated helper epitopes are identified. Here, we used T cell antigen receptor gene transfer to target CD4(+) T cells against an MHC class I-presented epitope of a model tumor antigen. IFN-gamma-producing CD4(+) T cells were unable to expand in vivo and to provide help for tumor rejection. In contrast, CD4(+) T cells producing high levels of IL-2 expanded in vivo, provided help for cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated tumor rejection, and developed T cell memory. The data demonstrate in vivo synergy between T cell antigen receptor-transduced CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells specific for the same epitope resulting in long-term tumor protection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism*
  • Retroviridae
  • Spleen / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Epitopes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell