Semi-allogeneic cell hybrids stimulate HIV-1 envelope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to determine whether the HLA allogeneic T helper response stimulated by semi-allogeneic cell lines could be used as an in vitro model of immune-based therapy to stimulate HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.


METHODS
Semi-allogeneic cell hybrids were obtained by the fusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-infected patients with the allogeneic beta2-microglobulin-deficient FO1-12 melanoma cell line. These hybrids were used as antigen presenting cells for HIV envelope peptide (env)-specific cytotoxic assays.


RESULTS
The hybrid cell lines express HLA class I and II antigens from both parental cells, as well as the CD86 costimulatory molecule. HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was obtained when patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells were costimulated with env peptides plus semi-allogeneic hybrids, in contrast with stimulation with either env or hybrid cells alone. Thus, the semi-allogeneic hybrids enhanced HIV-specific killing of target cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Irradiated, semi-allogeneic cell hybrids engineered for individual AIDS patients provide efficient and simultaneous co-recognition of HLA allogeneic determinants and viral antigenic determinants presented by self-HLA molecules on the same antigen presenting cells and results in the generation of enhanced HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity.
Grene
E
E
Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Newton
D A
DA
Brown
E A
EA
Berzofsky
J A
JA
Gattoni-Celli
S
S
Shearer
G M
GM
D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000276:immunology*; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160 / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006822:Hybrid Cells; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160