title: Activation of human T cells in vivo following treatment of transplant recipients with OKT3.
abstract: Sequential lymph node biopsies were obtained prior to and following OKT3 administration in 10 organ transplant recipients to determine whether activation of human T cells occurs in vivo during OKT3 administration. Within 2 hr after injection, OKT3 can be detected coating LN T cells, and LN T cells also demonstrate enhanced proliferation in vitro in the presence of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is expressed on post-OKT3 LN T cells within 48 hr following administration of OKT3. In addition, when placed in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, post-OKT3 LN cells also demonstrate enhanced proliferation. This is the first direct demonstration of in vivo activation of human T cells by OKT3. These data support the hypothesis that T lymphocyte activation and concomitant production of lymphokines are responsible for the side effects associated with OKT3 treatment. Immune activation and possible enhancement of anti-donor MHC alloreactivity may have significant implications for anti-CD3 and anti-TCR monoclonal antibody therapy in clinical organ transplantation and for enhancement of the immune response in cancer patients.
authors: Ben May Institute, Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Illinois.
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Ellenhorn
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Woodle
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Ghobreal
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Thistlethwaite
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Bluestone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins