Chronic graft versus host disease is associated with an immune response to autologous human leukocyte antigen-derived peptides.
BACKGROUND
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) the immunopathogenesis of which is not well understood. Humoral and cellular immunity are both implicated, patients express a range of autoantibodies, but the targets of cellular immunity are not well defined. Autologous human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-derived peptides constitute a significant proportion of the repertoire.


METHODS
We have investigated the response to HLA-derived peptides after allogeneic BMT using gamma-interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT). We also studied the release of this gamma-interferon by flow cytometry in a subgroup of responsive patients.


RESULTS
The peripheral blood mononuclear cell response was assessed by gamma-interferon ELISPOT in 42 BMT recipients (21 with cGVHD) and 30 healthy donors. Thirteen of 21 patients diagnosed with cGVHD responded to at least one HLA-derived peptide compared with 1 of 21 patients without cGVHD (62% vs. 5%, P<10) and 1 of 30 healthy donors. In all but one patient these peptides correspond with the sequences of autologous HLA. The median single peptide-specific response in ELISPOT was 43/10 peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In a subgroup studied by flow cytometry, gamma-interferon production to individual peptides occurred in 0.04% to 0.18% of CD4 T lymphocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations identify HLA-derived peptides as targets of a cellular immune response in cGVHD.
Smith
Helen J
HJ
Department of Renal Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK & School of Immunity, Infection and Inflammation, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Hanvesakul
Rajesh
R
Morgan
Matthew D
MD
Bentall
Andrew
A
Briggs
David
D
Clark
Fiona
F
Pratt
Guy
G
Moss
Paul
P
Larché
Mark
M
Ball
Simon
S
D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007938:Leukemia / Q000601:surgery; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007371:Interferon-gamma