Induction of HLA class I surface expression recruits low-affinity cytolytic T lymphocytes.
Recent studies indicate that the relative expression of HLA class I molecules can play an important role in regulating the cellular immune response. In this report, we used cloned human cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) and transfected HLA class I molecules to investigate the effect of HLA class I induction on CTL reactivity. CTL clones with identical antigen specificities but different antigen affinities were compared for their ability to lyse target cells with varying levels of HLA class I expression. The cytolytic reactivity of the high-affinity clone was independent of the level of HLA class I expression. In contrast, cytolytic reactivity of the low-affinity CTL clone was directly related to the level of HLA expression. These data suggest that the induction of HLA class I surface expression has a disproportionate effect on the reactivity of low-affinity CTL and may provide a mechanism for the recruitment of these cells in vivo.
Mentzer
S J
SJ
Division of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Burakoff
S J
SJ
Barbosa
J A
JA
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014162:Transfection
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I