New tools to monitor the impact of viral infection on the alloreactive T-cell repertoire

Tissue Antigens. 2009 Oct;74(4):290-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2009.01311.x. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that alloreactive memory T-cells may be generated as a result of viral infection. So far, a suitable tool to define the individual human leukocyte antigen (HLA) cross-reactivity of virus-specific memory T-cells is not available. We therefore aimed to develop a novel system for the detection of cross-reactive alloresponses using single HLA antigen expressing cell lines (SALs) as stimulator. Herein, we generated Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) EBNA3A specific CD8 memory T-cell clones (HLA-B*0801/FLRGRAYGL peptide restricted) and assayed for alloreactivity against a panel of SALs using interferon-gamma Elispot as readout. Generation of the T-cell clones was performed by single cell sorting based on staining with viral peptide/major histocompatibility complex-specific tetramer. Monoclonality of the T-cell clones was confirmed by T-cell receptor (TCR) polymerase chain reaction analysis. First, we confirmed the previously described alloreactivity of the EBV EBNA3A-specific T-cell clones against SAL-expressing HLA-B*4402. Further screening against the entire panel of SALs also showed additional cross-reactivity against SAL-expressing HLA-B*5501. Functionality of the cross-reactive T-cell clones was confirmed by chromium release assay using phytohemagglutinin blasts as targets. SALs are an effective tool to detect cross-reactivity of viral-specific CD8 memory T-cell clones against individual class I HLA molecules. This technique may have important implications for donor selection and monitoring of transplant recipients.

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cross Reactions
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA Antigens / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Antigens, Viral
  • DNA Primers
  • HLA Antigens
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell