title: Induction of a secondary human anti-HLA alloimmune response in severe combined immunodeficient mice engrafted with human lymphocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Experimental manipulation of transfusion-induced alloimmunization is limited in humans by ethical considerations. Conversely, studies of alloimmunization in animal models may not reflect the human immune system closely enough to be of optimal benefit. The development of an in vivo model of human alloimmunization that is amenable to experimental manipulation is thus desirable.
  
  
  METHODS
  An in vivo model of human alloimmunization was evaluated by using mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). SCID mice underwent gamma-radiation (200 cGy) and received an intraperitoneal injection of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from donors immunized to HLA antigens by prior pregnancy (reconstitution). These Hu [human]-PBL-SCID mice were then challenged with HLA-mismatched PBLs. Alloantibodies were evaluated by flow cytometry and a standard two-stage microlymphocytotoxicity assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hu-PBL-SCID mice (n = 22) that were challenged with PBLs expressing the HLA antigens to which the donors had previously been immunized, made significantly more IgM and IgG alloantibodies than did the unchallenged mice. Responses were measurable by 1 week after reconstitution and challenge. Prior treatment of SCID mice with anti-asialo GM1, which depletes murine natural killer cells and macrophages, further increased the alloantibody response of challenged mice. The human alloantibodies generated were specific to the challenge HLA antigens as assessed by microlymphocytotoxicity assay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hu-PBL-SCID mice are a useful model system in which to study and manipulate the induction of secondary human alloimmune responses against cellular HLA class I antigens. This model will be valuable for testing the in vivo effect of novel immunotherapies on the inhibition of the human alloantibody response.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lazarus
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Semple
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosgrave
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kalovsky
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hannach
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000209:etiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007518:Isoantibodies