title: T cell receptor usage by cytotoxic T lymphocytes against autologous human melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  T cell receptor (TCR) usage by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) represents the host's response to autologous melanoma (AM). The goal of this study is it determine TCR usage by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against AM.
  
  
  METHODS
  CTL were generated from three patients using lymphocytes from metastatic or tumor-draining lymph nodes by repeated in vitro sensitization (IVS). Total RNA was isolated from CTL and reverse-transcribed to cDNA. TCR usage was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TCR primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytolytic activity was non-specific within the first 2-4 weeks following IVS and TCR repertoire in these cultures revealed random V alpha and V beta gene usage. In contrast, by 6-10 weeks of culture, cytolysis was specifically directed against AM cells and such specific cytolysis was significantly correlated with TCR V alpha 1 (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCR V alpha 1 is associated with a common restricted melanoma antigen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco/Mount Zion Cancer Center 94120, USA.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liliental
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Krams
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Granberry
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell