Prediction of graft versus host disease by frequency analysis of cytotoxic T cells after unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation.
HLA "matched" unrelated donor bone marrow transplants are associated with an increased incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease in comparison with HLA-identical sibling transplants. This is presumably due to HLA and non-HLA histocompatibility differences between donor and recipient. Using a limiting dilution assay, we have previously demonstrated a relationship between cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor frequency and HLA disparity. In this study we have compared CTL-p frequencies with clinical GVHD, and demonstrate for the first time a significant correlation (P less than 0.005) between high CTL precursor frequency prior to BMT and severity of acute GVHD after HLA A, B, DR "matched" unrelated donor transplants using T cell depleted marrow. This assay system may be of value in the final selection of HLA "matched" unrelated donors for BMT.
Kaminski
E
E
Department of Immunology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Hows
J
J
Man
S
S
Brookes
P
P
Mackinnon
S
S
Hughes
T
T
Avakian
O
O
Goldman
J M
JM
Batchelor
J R
JR
D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000628:therapy; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015342:DNA Probes; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000628:therapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015342:DNA Probes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens