Cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be generated against acetaldehyde-modified syngeneic cells.
Acetaldehyde is a metabolic product of ethanol catabolism capable of forming protein adducts. These adducts have been found in situ and could account for the generation of anti-acetaldehyde antibodies found in various stages of alcoholic liver disease. Antibody production implicates participation of the cellular immune system. The existence of a cellular immune response poses the question of whether the body generates a cellular effector response against cells displaying these modified proteins. We have been able to show that murine splenic cells whose surface is acetaldehyde modified can generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in a syngeneic host when the stimulator cells carry the H-Y antigen and the responder population does not. This fact in conjunction with the finding that anti-class I antibody can block the anti-acetaldehyde CTL effector response supports the contention that the acetaldehyde-protein adducts are presented to the CTL in context with an intact class I MHC. This work supports the hypothesis that acetaldehyde-modified cells can generate a cellular immune response and may do so in pathologic states.
Kolber
M A
MA
University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, FL 33101.
Terabayashi
H
H
D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000431:Ethanol; D000079:Acetaldehyde