title: Cross-reactivity of cytomegalovirus-specific CD8+ T cells to allo-major histocompatibility complex class I molecules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In transplantation settings, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common complication. CMV infection is associated with a higher incidence of graft rejection in solid organ transplantation and graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplantation. The underlying mechanism of this association could be the generation of CMV-specific CD8 T cells capable of cross-reacting with alloantigens present on graft and host, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whereas as to date, no direct ex vivo analysis can be performed of the CD8 T-cell repertoire directed at allo-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, virus-specific cells can be readily enumerated by use of MHC-peptide tetrameric complexes. In this study, the authors used this technique to analyze potential overlapping CD8 T-cell repertoires between self-MHC-viral peptide and allo-MHC complexes by stimulating CMV-specific CD8 T cells with alloantigens. RESULTS.: The authors found that CMV-specific CD8 T cells are activated and proliferate on stimulation with alloantigens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although these cells are cytotoxic against CMV-peptide pulsed target cells, no cytotoxicity of CMV-specific cells to alloantigens could be detected, inferring that there are other mechanisms of graft damage by alloantigen-stimulated virus-specific CTL.
authors.affiliation: Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center G1-106, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. l.e.gamadia@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Laila E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gamadia
authors.forename: Ester B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Remmerswaal
authors.forename: Sugianto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Surachno
authors.forename: Neubury M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Lardy
authors.forename: Pauline M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Wertheim-van Dillen
authors.forename: René A W
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: van Lier
authors.forename: Ineke J M
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: ten Berge
mesh_terms: D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex
chemical_list: D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007519:Isoantigens