Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro. III. Velocity sedimentation studies of the differentiation and fate of effector cells in long-term mixed leukocyte cultures

Alterations in target cell membrane phospholipids alter T cell but not NK cell killing

The ability of tumor cells to grow progressively in vivo despite the host immune response remains a major conundrum in tumor immunology. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain how tumors evade immune destruction. The work presented herein shows that simple alterations in plasma membrane phospholipid composition can alter susceptibility to immune lysis. The phospholipid composition of target cells was specifically altered by growth in medium containing choline analogs. Manipulation of membrane phospholipids was observed to alter cell susceptibility to murine CTL but not NK cell lysis. The effects of such changes in phospholipid composition on CTL-mediated lysis appeared to occur during the recognition phase of lysis. This mechanism could be a means by which tumor cells, as well as other pathogenic organisms, escape immune detection and destruction.

Changes in plasma membrane phospholipids inhibit antibody-mediated lysis

A variety of mechanisms have been proposed to explain how tumors evade immune destruction. This work has identified one such mechanism that determines susceptibility to immune lysis; membrane phospholipid composition altered susceptibility to antibody plus complement (Ab+C)-mediated lysis. Effects on antibody plus complement-mediated lysis were correlated with levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but not inherent resistance to complement damage. This cellular mechanism could be a means by which tumor cells escape immune detection and destruction.

A functional and kinetic comparison of antiviral effector and memory cytotoxic T lymphocyte populations in vivo and in vitro

To analyze the critical parameters for effective antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in vivo, control of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in the spleen was studied after adoptive transfer of different spleen cell populations into preinfected recipients. The quantitative, qualitative and kinetic requirements for virus control were defined and related to in vitro assays to compare the antiviral protective function of CTL from naive, acutely infected and memory mice. Treatment of mice with an established but limited LCMV infection by adoptive transfer of spleen cells from acutely LCMV-infected mice led to complete virus elimination mainly mediated by donor-derived CD8+ T cell-mediated, perforin-dependent cytotoxicity. Since virus is continuously spreading and the number of infected target cells rapidly increases, the time until target cell lysis is achieved was critical: if release of viral progeny was not prevented early, additional time to perform effector function did not improve overall virus control. When the function of various cell populations was compared in this model, we found that CTL from naive and memory mice perform considerably less well than CTL from acutely infected mice. In vitro studies indicated that this is probably due to the fact that they can not fulfill the limiting time requirements for immediate antiviral protection: while CTL from acutely infected mice can perform lytic effector function immediately, memory CTL require a considerable reactivation time before they can lyse infected target cells. This reactivation does not necessarily involve cell division. These findings illustrate how critical time limitations are for CTL to mediate early control of a dynamic virus infection in vivo.

Immunosuppression by lymphokine-activated murine killer cell line with B-lymphoblast-lytic activity in vitro

The in vitro immunosuppressive effect caused by a murine lymphokine-activated killer cell line with B-lymphoblast-lytic activity was studied. The cloned cells (named BC-1.10, phenotype Thy 1.2+, LFA-1+, TCR-alpha beta-, TCR-gamma delta-, Fc gamma RII-, CD2-, CD3 epsilon-, CD4-, CD8- and express mRNA of zeta chain) suppressed LPS-induced Ig synthesis by B lymphoblasts previously stimulated with LPS. Phase-contrast microscopy indicated disappearance of B lymphoblasts at 24 h after the addition of BC-1.10 cells. This suppressive effect was reduced when BC-1.10 cells were pretreated with anti-LFA-1 mAb, which inhibits cytotoxicity of this clone. These data suggest that the immunosuppressive effect of BC-1.10 is due to an elimination of B lymphoblasts, and that one of the physiological functions of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, which are induced as a consequence of immune reactions, might be immunosuppression.

Light scatter analysis and sorting of cells activated in mixed leukocyte culture

Cells activated in unidirectional mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) have been analyzed on the basis of their light scatter characteristics. C57BL/6 spleen cells were cultured with irradiated (2000 rads) DBA/2 spleen cells for 5 days and the resulting suspension of activated cells was passed on a FACS II flow cytometer. Correlated parameter analysis of forward light scatter (FLS) and perpendicular light scatter (PLS) indicated that the MLC consisted of a heterogenous mixture of viable cells, dead cells, and subcellular debris. However, by appropriate gating of the FLS/PLS distribution, viable cells could be identified as a biphasic FLS histogram. Sorting and morphological analyses of these two FLS peaks demonstrated that they corresponded to almost pure populations of small lymphocytes (lower peak) and lymphoblasts (upper peak), respectively. Furthermore, when sorted cells were tested for their ability to lyse antigenically relevant (DBA/2) tumor target cells in a 51Cr release assay, lymphoblasts were found to exhibit 40-fold greater cytolytic activity (on a per-cell basis) than small lymphocytes.

Regulatory mechanism of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice. V. Augmentor cells for DTH responses

Mice primed with 1 microgram of reduced and alkylated ovalbumin (RA-OA) developed not only long-lived memory cells for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), capable of differentiating into DTH-effector T cells (DTH-Te) against ovalbumin (OA) when restimulated in vitro with OA, but also spleen cells capable of augmenting recipients' DTH responses to OA when transferred into cyclophosphamide (CY)-pretreated mice. The augmenting activity in spleen cells, upon transfer, was found 7 days, but not 21 or 91 days, after priming with RA-OA, although memory DTH-Te were present throughout the period of observation. The loss of augmenting activity after day 7 of priming was not due to the presence of suppressor cells; spleen cells taken 21 days after priming failed to suppress, upon transfer, the augmenting activity in 7-day-primed spleen cells as well as induction and expression of DTH responses to OA. When 7-day-primed spleen cells were fractionated on a discontinuous bovine serum albumin density gradient, the augmenting activity was found only in the medium-density-cell layer, although memory DTH-Te were separated in the high-density layer. Augmentation of DTH-Te generation could also be demonstrated in vitro when 7-day-primed spleen cells, but not 21-day-primed spleen cells, were added to cultures of spleen cells from CY-pretreated mice. These results indicate that, in the 7-day-primed spleen, there is an augmentor cell population which is different from memory DTH-Te and interacts with CY-resistant unprimed cells to facilitate DTH-Te generation.

Significance of cytotoxic lymphocytes after various immunizing procedures in a virus-induced non-producer syngeneic system: correlation between in vitro and in vivo lytic activity

An originally virus-induced, non-producer tumour system has been studied in relation to humoral and cellular cytotoxic responses to transplantation and other immunization techniques. In all experimental groups cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) were observed either directly or after mixed culture of lymphocytes and tumour cells (MLTC). Except for C'-dependent cytotoxic antibodies in mice immunized by irradiated cells, no antibody-mediated cytotoxicity was observed. In 2 protocols (transplantation and immunization by mitomycin-treated cells) CTL in vitro were not protective. In a third protocol (immunization by irradiated cells) CTL afforded partial protection and other factors appeared to be involved. The best in vivo protection was induced by immunization consequent on early surgical removal of a small number of transplanted tumour cells. This study provides lines of evidence for the effectiveness of protection supplied by CTL in well-defined conditions. Comparison with other modes of immunization indicated that these conditions were related to the quantity and to the characteristics of antigen involved.

Clones of alloreactive T cells. I. A. unique homozygous MLR-stimulating determinant present on B6 stimulators

We have developed a method which allows us to clone and reclone primed responder T cells derived from serially restimulated murine mixed lymphocyte cultures. We have derived clones from two such mixed lymphocyte cultures, A anti-B6 [A(B6)] and A anti-(B6XA)F1 [A(B6A)]. In the A (B6) system, we have isolated clones which can ve stimulated by B6 but not by (B6XA)F1 cells. This implies the presence of a unique parental H-2b MLR determinant which is absent on semi-allogeneic (B6XA)F1 cells. In the A(B6A) system, we have isolated clones which can be stimulated by (B6XA)F1 cells but not by B6 cells. This confirms our previous observation on the presence of unique hybrid MLR stimulating determinants on (B6XA)F1 cells. Many of the "clones" derived primarily from soft agar seem to be contaminated and contain several different sets of primed responder cells with different reactivity patterns . Experiments in which we subclone cells exhibiting selected reactivity patterns from such contaminated primary clones suggested that a T-cell growth factor or accessory cell is required for proliferation in soft agar following all antigen recognition by primed responder cells.

Augmentation of delayed-type hypersensitivity and resistance against allogeneic or syngeneic methylcholanthrene-induced tumors in mice preimmunized with the tumor extracts

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses against methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas in C3H/He and BDF1 mice were developed in BDF1 mice by sc injection of the respective mitomycin C-treated tumor cells. The DTH responses to the allogeneic and the syngeneic tumor cells were accelerated and enhanced tumor-specifically by priming 7 days previously with KCl extracts of the respective tumors. The ability in the mice primed with the tumor extracts enhancing the DTH response against the tumor cells could be transferred to recipient mice by the spleen cells, but not by the T-cell-depleted spleen cells. Rejection of allogeneic tumor was accelerated under the development of accelerated and enhanced DTH response against the allogeneic tumor antigens. Moreover, resistance to syngeneic tumor growth increased significantly with the development of accelerated and enhanced DTH response against the syngeneic tumor antigens. Thus, the augmentation of DTH response by preimmunization with tumor extracts was accompanied by the increased resistance to tumor growth, suggesting that T cells involved in the augmentation of tumor-specific DTH response play some role in increasing the resistance to tumor growth.

Decrease of cholesterol and free fatty acids in cortisone-resistant lymphoid cells incubated with allogeneic tumor cells

A marked decrease of cholesterol and free fatty acids was found in the cortisone-resistant lymphoid cells from thymus or spleen of mice immunized with Ehrlich carcinoma cells when incubated with the tumor cells.

Virus plaque assay: effective detection of virus plaque forming cells at the early stage of lymphocyte activation by mitogen and alloantigen

Activated lymphocytes were detected quantitatively by virus plaque assay (VPA) during the course of lymphocyte cultures stimulated by mitogen or alloantigen. In Con A-stimulated cultures, the number of virus-plaque forming cells (V--PFC) was a more sensitive method of detecting the early stage of lymphocyte activation than [3H]-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation. This evidence was obtained by two methods of collecting cells of each stage. First, when Con A-activated lymphocytes were fractionated by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity to separate cell populations according to each cell stage, the ratio of the number of V-PFC to the radioactivity of incorporated [3H]-TdR was larger in the earlier stage of cell cycle than in the later stage. Second, when cultured lymphocytes were synchronized directly by addition of excess thymidine and colchicine, similar results were obtained. In primary mixed lymphocyte cultures, the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) was correlated better with the proliferative response than with V-PFC production. It was also found that both the incorporation of [3H]-TdR and the generation of CTL were abrogated by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) added to cultures up to one day before assay, whilst the generation of V-PFC was not so markedly affected by Ara-C. These findings suggest that V-PFC represent the number of precursor cells which require one or more generations to differentiate to CTL and not simply the number of effector lymphoyctes already exhibiting cytotoxicity.

T-T-cell interactions during the vitro cytotoxic allograft responses. I. Soluble products from activated Lyl+ T cells trigger autonomously antigen-primed Ly23+ T cells to cell proliferation and cytolytic activity

Secondary murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses from alloantigen-primed T cells can be induced in vitro by apparently unrelated regimens, such as addition of either concanavalin A (Con A), conditioned medium from Con A stimulated lymphocyte cultures, conditioned medium from secondary mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC), or stimulator cells sharing only the I-region with the stimulating cells used for primary sensitization. We now report that upon polyclonal (Con A), or antigen-specific (MLC) stimulation, Lyl+ T cells release a factor, which in turn triggers alloantigen primed Ly23+ T cells to proliferation and cytolytic activity. The secondary cytotoxic T lymphocyte inducing factor (SCIF) is produced within 24 h. For its production, an intact protein metabolism, not DNA metabolism, is required. Once induced, the functional activity of SCIF is nonspecific and not H-2 restricted. SCIF allows exponential growth and long-term propagation of cytolytic Ly23+ T cells with specificity to alloantigens used for primary sensitization. SCIF induced activation of alloantigen primed Ly23+ T cells does not require the presence of alloantigens. The results therefore reveal a process by which Lyl+ T-cell-derived nonspecific factor(s) induce autonomously Ly23+ T-cell-mediated, antigen-specific, cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses.

Resurgence of killing and in vivo protection mediated by lymphocytes cultured from lymph nodes draining Moloney sarcomas

We have previously documented the development and subsequent disappearance of cytolytic activity mediated by lymphocytes from lymph nodes draining Moloney sarcomas destined either to regress or grow progressively. We now report that these tumour-draining lymphnode cells (LNC) that were no longer cytotoxic, spontaneously regenerated peak levels of killing after culture in vitro for 4 days in the absence of exogenous tumour antigen. Cytolytic activity, which was antigenically specific, was mediated by T lymphocytes. Resurgence of cytolytic activity in vitro was accompanied by proliferative changes (DNA synthesis, blast transformation, cell division) which peaked on the 3rd day of culture. Although normal, nonimmune LNC underwent quantitatively similar proliferative changes in culture, the killing that developed was weak and antigenically nonspecific. Transfer of cultured, tumour-draining LNC to immunologically compromised, syngeneic mice conferred complete protection from Moloney sarcoma progression. Adoptive transfer could be delayed for 6 days after tumour induction without loss of protection. These results suggest that there exists in Moloney sarcoma-bearing mice a mechanism that limits the differentiation of pre-killer cells into cytolytically active T lymphocytes, and that such inhibition is eliminated when LNC are explanted into culture.

Response of tumour-related and normal lymphocytes to antigens on fibroblasts from embryos of varying age

The in vitro cytotoxic immune response of spleen lymphocytes from primiparous and tumour-related mice to embryonic cells from embryos of varying age and tumour cells has been investigated. The results indicate that lymphocytes from both primiparous and tumour-related (i.e., tumour-bearing or tumour-excised) animals give a response which is greater than that from cells from control mice ("virgin cells"). Moreover, in this putative anamnestic response the immune cells detect antigenic differences in the cell populations of embryos of varying age, which are not as readily demonstrable when cytotoxicity is derived from virgin cells. As a further indication of the in vivo priming to embryo-assoicated antigens, the data show that the precursors of cytotoxic cells apparently undergo a blastogenic response in the presence of embryo antigen, and revert to small quiescent cells when antigen is removed, in a way entirely analogous to that described for reactivity of mixed leucocyte cultures to antigens of the major histocompatibility complex. Finally, it seems that in animals immediately after removal of embryonic antigen (and to a lesser degree in virgin or late-embryo-immune mice) there exists a suppressor cell population which inhibits an anti-embryo cytotoxic response far more than an antiallograft response.

Separation of lymphoid cells with a suppressor effect on the activity of cytotoxic cells in vitro during the growth of a syngeneic mouse tumour

One or 4 weeks after grafting of a syngeneic sarcoma (T2) to C57BL/6 mice, lymph-node cells (LNC) are cytotoxic in vitro for the cells of this tumour. But after 2 weeks LNC are not cytotoxic or show a non-significant activity. These second-week LNC, added to cytotoxic lymphocytes (CL) from the first or fourth week, reduce considerably the cytotoxicity of the latter cells. When velocity sedimentation at unit gravity is used to fractionate 11th-14th day LNC, some fractions, enriched in small lympoid cells, kill the cancer cells. Other fractions, containing large blast cells, lack this property but can suppress the activity of the small cells or of fourth week CL. These suppressor cells can also be separated from active CL by passage on a glass bead column. They are "adherent" while CL are non-adherent at this stage. This suppressor effect is abolished when the lymphoid cell suspension is treated by anti-theta serum, but macrophage depletion does not modify the inhibition. The cell responsible for the suppressor effect is thus a large T lymphoid cell, adherent and non-phagocytic. It seems to act essentially on an effector phase of the cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Quantitative studies on the precursors of cytotoxic lymphocytes. III. The lineage of memory cells

In the course of a mixed lymphocyte culture, memory cells are produced which can give rise to a large secondary cytotoxic lymphocyte response on reexposure to the sensitizing alloantigen. We have studied the lineage of these memory cells using a clonal assay for precursors of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CLP). Our data provide conclusive evidence that individual CLP, upon stimulation with alloantigens, gives rise to clones which contain memory cells of the same specificity as the CLP. Only half of the clones that responded in the primary stimulation could be reactivated upon exposure to the original priming alloantigen.

Cytotoxic T cell response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Properties of precursors of effector T cells, primary effector T cells and memory T cells in vitro and in vivo

Spleen cells from CBA/H mice pre-primed intravenously at various intervals with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus were tested for their capacity to respond and generate cytotoxic effector T cells on secondary stimulation both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro secondary stimulation was performed by culturing preprimed spleen cells with infected, syngeneic, peritoneal `stimulator' cells for periods of up to 7 days at 37°. Controls were incubated with uninfected `stimulators'. In vivo secondary stimulation was obtained by intravenous transfer of pre-primed spleen cells into irradiated, heavily infected CBA/H recipients at various times prior to assay of recipients' spleens. Controls were uninfected, irradiated recipients. Effectors were assayed against LCM virus-infected or uninfected, H-2 compatible L929 target cells in a ⁵¹Cr release assay.

Spleen cells gave three different patterns of cytotoxic T cell response following in vitro or in vivo stimulation, depending upon the interval between priming and secondary stimulation. Populations taken from mice approximately days 2–5 post-infection (PI) developed increasing cytotoxic activity against virus-infected targets in vitro when cultured with infected or uninfected peritoneal cells, or in vivo when transferred into irradiated, uninfected recipients. However, these early populations did not generate cytotoxic activity when transferred into irradiated, heavily infected recipients. Established primary effector populations (i.e. approx. days 7–11 PI) exhibited continuing effector activity when maintained in vitro or in vivo, more so when peritoneal `stimulator' cells or irradiated recipients were infected. Memory populations (i.e. more than approx. day 13 PI) developed highly potent secondary effectors when cultured with infected peritoneal cells, or on transfer to irradiated, infected recipients.

The three different patterns of cytotoxic T cell response of the different preprimed spleen cell populations can be interpreted as indicating three different phases of functional activity of the same population of antigen-reactive T cells from LCM virus-primed mice.

In vitro secondary mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). II. Interaction MLR determinants expressed by F1 cells

T cells from strain A primed in vitro to (C57BL/6 x A/JF1 [(B6 x A)F1] cells respond better to restimulation by (B6 x A)F1 than by B6 or a 1:1 mixture of A and B6 cells. The increase in the response to F1 cells is specific and due to MLR determinants present on (B6 x A)F1 cells but not on either of the parental cell types. (B6 x A)F1 cells express more than one F1-specific MLR determinant, and this expression is dependent upon products of alleles of at least two loci within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Responsiveness to these F1-MLR determinants is apparently controlled by more than one locus within the MHC.

Linear density gradient separation of human lymphocyte subsets. I. Analysis by mixed leukocyte culture and cell-mediated lympholysis responses

Linear density gradients were used to separate either unsensitized human peripheral blood lymphocytes or cells sensitized in mixed leukocyte culture (MLC), at different time points in the immune response. Testing of cells from the various density fractions for their ability to respond in MLC and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) revealed that (a) activity between individual fractions differed, as well as activity between individual fractions and a suspension of unfractionated cells, (b) although precursor cells of MLC and CML were maximally enriched in closely associated light density regions, their respective distribution profiles were strikingly different, and (c) the density of cells responding in MLC and CML differed depending upon the point of the immune response at which the cells were separated. Whereas effector cells were of light density relative to the precursor cells, putative memory cells for CML exhibited a high density.

In vitro generation of primary and secondary cytotoxic cell-mediated immune responses to chemically induced mouse sarcomas

Mixtures of lymph node and spleen cells from normal (untreated) BALB/c mice and from BALB/c mice whose syngeneic tumors had been excised 7-28 days previously ("tumor-excised mice"), were sensitized in vitro by cultivation for 9 days with cells from syngeneic, methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas. The in vitro-sensitized lymphoid cells were tested in a 36-h microcytotoxicity assay for reactivity against target cells carrying the sensitizing tumor antigens, as well as against control target cells lacking these antigens. After co-cultivation with tumor cells, lymphoid cells from both normal and tumor-excised mice were cytotoxic to tumor cells carrying the sensitizing antigens. The cytotoxicity was generally specific, and occurred at low effector: target cell ratios (in some experiments down to 1:1). When lymphoid cells from tumor-excised mice were exposed in vitro for 9 days to cells carrying the same antigens as those which were originally present on the surgical excised tumors, the effector cells obtained gave a dose-dependent cytotoxic response suggestive of a linear relationship. When lymphoid cells from normal mice were similarly sensitized for 9 days, specifically cytotoxic lymphoid cells were generated but no linear dose-dependent response was detected.

Comparative study of in vitro and in vivo drug effects on cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Cell-mediated cytolysis (CMC) was assayed in a system using spleen cells from mice (C57BL/6) sensitized with allogeneic tumour cells (DBA/2 mastocytoma P-815). Anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressives, inhibitors of cell division and other agents were investigated for their capacity to inhibit CMC in three different ways. First, inhibition of CMC after in vitro addition of drug was observed with corticosteroids, some immunosuppressives and inhibitors of cell division. Secondly, suppression of CMC after a single drug administration to sensitized mice shortly before being killed was found with corticosteroids, several immunosuppressives and irradiation. Thirdly, prevention of development of CMC by repeated drug treatment (immunosuppressive schedule) was achieved with most immunosuppressives and cytostatic drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were inactive in these tests. Correlation of effects between the three procedures was very poor and it is suggested that various mechanisms may be involved in the different assays.

Inflammatory cells in solid murine neoplasms. II. Cell types found throughout the course of Moloney sarcoma regression or progression

Regressing and progressing Moloney sarcomas, induced in BALB/c mice by the injection of cultured sarcoma cells (MSC)1, were sampled for histologic analysis and then disaggregated using mixtures of trypsin, collagenase and DNAse or collagenase and DNAse alone. The types of inflammatory cells (IC) found in resultant cell suspensions were determined 6, 11, 14 and 18 days post inoculation. Inflammatory infiltrates were composed almost exclusively of three cell types; neutrophils, T lymphocytes and macrophages. The extent to which each was found in tumors was related to the time post inoculation. Neutrophils were part of an early acute inflammatory response seen in both developing regressing and progressing sarcomas. The onset of regression was associated histologically with the appearance within tumors of a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. T lymphocytes and macrophages were the principal constituents. A higher percentage of T lymphocytes was recovered at all sampling times from regressing, compared to progressing, sarcomas. During development of the mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate there were relatively more large T cells in regressing, than in progressing tumors, and the percentage of macrophages was higher. Thereafter, the proportion of macrophages in the recovered cell population was approximately the same for both types of tumor. Such equality was more apparent than real, however, since IC were restricted to the peripheries of progressing sarcomas after the acute inflammatory phase, but continued to be found throughout regressing neoplasms. The effective ratio of macrophages and T lymphocytes to tumor cells therefore was much lower in progressing sarcomas than was suggested by percentage figures. The data presented support the concept that T lymphocytes are instrumental in causing the regression of Moloney sarcomas, possibly through interactions with macrophages.

The generation, detection and characterization of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in vitro

This paper describes the generation, detection and characterization of cytotoxic t lymphocyte activity in vitro and the application of this assay system to various immunological problems.

Dual pathway of B lymphocyte differentiation in vitro

Direct visualization of the events resulting from LPS stimulation of mouse spleen cells in vitro was achieved by characterizing the cells during four days of culture for morphology, Ig and theta surface markers and autoradiography after [3H] thymidine uptake. The changes observed were related to biochemical parameters such as incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA, Ig biosynthesis and secretion. Two pathways of B lymphocyte differentiation were observed: a) the generation of a large number of small B lymphocytes with high density of surface Ig but no internal pool detectable by immunofluorescence, and b) the maturation of a very small proportion of cells with a large intracellular pool and the ability to secrete Ig. Both cell types arise from dividing blast cells, either physically separated or traced by pulse chase experiments with [3H] thymidine. We discuss whether this duality is caused by the triggering of different B cell subpopulations at different developmental stages, preprogramed to one or the other pathway or whether the final direction of development depends on the microenvironment of individual dividing cells.

Secondary cytotoxic allograft responses in vitro. II. Differentiation of memory T cells into cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the absence of cell proliferation

Murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were induced in "one-way" mixed lymphocyte cultures and their physical characteristics investigated by velocity sedimentation at 1 X g. The in vitro differentiation of progenitors of CTL into primary and secondary CTL was paralleled by characteristic changes in the size of the responder cells. Fractionated cells enriched for primary blast CTL reverted into clonally restricted "nonlytic" secondary T lymphocytes. Upon antigenic reexposure, these lymphocytes differentiated into secondary CTL within 18-32 h. This took place in the absence of cell proliferation and could be triggered by UV light irradiated allogeneic stimulator cells. It is suggested the different characteristics for the induction of either a primary or secondary cytotoxic T cell response reflect qualitative differences between unprimed T cells and memory T lymphocytes.

Long-term maintenance in vitro of human T cells by repeated exposure to the same stimulator cells. Differences when using repeated stimulation in allogeneic mixed leukocyte culture and when using stimulation with autologous lymphoblastoid cells

Cells from one-way human mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) which had reverted to small lymphocytes after 2 weeks' incubation responded with accelerated kinetics and higher thymidine incorporation on restimulation with lymphocytes or lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) cells having relevant antigens. In contrast to fresh lymphocytes, they did not respond to autologous LCL cells. Cultures could be restimulated every second week with relevant allogeneic lymphocytes and could thus be maintained for periods of up to 4 months. Almost all these cultured cells had T-cell characteristics, during stimulation as well as in their reverted phase. The response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) successively disappeared with repeated allogeneic restimulation, whereas the response to the relevant lymphocytes and cells of related donors was maintained. When lymphocytes had been stimulated with autologous LCL cells, the restimulation response was accelerated, although lower than after the primary stimulation. Restimulated cultures could not be maintained by further restimulation. Allogeneic and autologous LCL were equally efficient restumulators. A low level of stimulation was also achieved with allogeneic lymphocytes. The PHA response was usually reduced.

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro. IV. Functional activation of memory cells in the absence of DNA synthesis

Re-exposure of day 14 mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) cells to the original stimulating alloantigens (secondary response) has previously been shown to result in significant proliferation and in rapid reappearance of high levels of cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity within the next 4 days. Moreover, evidence has been presented that CTL precursor cells in day 14 MLC populations, while they derived from cells were large at peak of the primary response (day 4) were themselves small lymphocytes which developed into large CTL after restimulation. In this study, inhibition of DNA synthesis by cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) was used to investigate whether CTL formation could be dissociated from proliferation during the secondary response. It was found that within the first 24 h after restimulation (a) CTL activity increased 6-to-20-fold, (b) 60-70% of the small T lymphocytes became medium- to large-sized cells, and (c) both events were independent of DNA synthesis. By using two successive cell separations by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity, before and after stimulation of day 14 MLC cells for 24 h in the presence or absence of ARA-C, direct evidence was obtained that small CTL precursor cells developed into large CTL, irrespective of DNA synthesis. The presence of ARA-C for periods longer than 24 h inhibited any further increase in CTL activity, in contrast to a parallel increase in lytic activity and cell number from day 1 to day 4 in control restimulated cultures. Taken together with the finding that 90% of the medium- and large-sized lymphoid cells in control restimulated cultures underwent DNA synthesis within 24 h, these results thus suggest that during a secondary MLC response there is initially a differentiation step leading to the formation of CTL which, although it can be clearly dissociated from DNA synthesis, is under normal conditions followed by proliferation of these effector cells.

HL-A LD (lymphocyte defined) typing: a rapid assay with primed lymphocytes

When human lymphocytes are cultured for 9 to 14 days with stimulating cells of a family member differing by a single HL-A haplotype they become "primed" to recognize specific HL-A LD (mixed lymphocyte culture) antigens. These primed lymphocytes respond specifically and rapidly when "restimulated" with cells of a person that contain the same LD antigens as those of the priming haplotype. Specific HL-A LD antigens can be detected within 24 hours by this primed LD typing.

Primary and secondary in vitro generation of cytolytic T lymphocytes in the murine sarcoma virus system

Cell-mediated cytotoxic responses in vitro to surface antigens associated with murine sarcoma virus (MSV)-induced tumors were investigated using mixed leukocyte-tumor cell cultures (MLTC). The source of responding cells was either spleens from normal C57BL/6 mice (primary MLTC) or spleens of C57BL/6 mice carrying or having rejected a MSV-induced tumor (secondary MLTC). Graffi virus-induced GiL-4 leukemia cells, Rauscher virus-induced RB1-5 leukemia cells, and MSV-induced MSV-B16 sarcoma cells were used as stimulating syngeneic tumor cells and/or target cells. Under appropriate culture conditions, cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated in both primary and secondary MLTC. As assessed by a quantitative short-term 51Cr release assay system, CTL activity in secondary MLTC populations was at least 10-fold higher than that in primary MLTC populations, and 100-fold higher than that in spleen cells taken at the peak of the in vivo response of MSV-infected mice. The ability of spleen cells to mount a secondary CTL response in vitro could be observed as early as 5 days after virus injection, increased up to the time of maximum tumor size and persisted long after tumor regression. This suggests the development of increased numbers of CTL progenitors and/or the formation of "memory" CTL in spleens of MSV-injected mice.