title: Induction and tolerization of anti-male CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes by in vivo immunization with an H-Y-derived peptide.
abstract: We have analyzed the immune response induced by a 9mer synthetic peptide derived from the male histocompatibility antigen H-Y and containing Db-binding motifs in C57BL/6 mice. In this study we report that a single, subcutaneous injection of the peptide emulsified in IFA gave rise to the development of male-specific CD8+ T cells which displayed H-Y-specific proliferative response in vitro and showed a Tc1-type pattern of cytokine production (i.e. they secreted IFN-gamma and IL-2, but not IL-4 and IL-10). Development of a strong cytotoxic activity required in vitro stimulation with specific peptide and IL-2: under these culture conditions, we were able to generate potent CD8+ CTLs that lysed both male cells and peptide-pulsed female cells. Continuous administration of soluble peptide, delivered over a 7-day period by a mini-osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously, inhibited proliferative and cytotoxic responses and IFN-gamma production in lymph node cells from C57BL/6 mice subsequently primed with peptide in adjuvant. This decreased responses were associated with a strong increase in the secretion of IL-4 by antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes. Subcutaneous administration of the H-Y-peptide in adjuvant significantly accelerates rejection of male skin graft, while continuous administration of peptide in soluble form did not modify the time course of rejection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Pathology, University of Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sireci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dieli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caccamo
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salerno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006182:H-Y Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012995:Solubility; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006182:H-Y Antigen; D010455:Peptides