TCR+CD4-CD8- T cells in antigen-specific MHC class I-restricted T-cell responses after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

J Immunother. 2014 Oct;37(8):416-25. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000047.

Abstract

Human TCRαβ(+) CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative (DN) T cells represent a minor subset in peripheral blood, yet are important in infectious diseases and autoimmune responses. We examined the frequency of DN T cells in 17 patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months post-aHSCT and show that these cells increase early after aHSCT and decrease with time after aHSCT. DN T cells reside in the terminally differentiated effector (CD45RA(+)CCR7(-)) T-cell population and are polyclonal, determined by T-cell receptor Vβ CDR3 analysis. Gene expression analysis of ex vivo sorted DN T cells showed a distinct set of gene expression, including interleukin-8, as compared with CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells. DN T cells contributed to MHC class I-restricted EBV-directed immune responses, defined by antigen-specific cytokine production and by detection of HLA-A*02:01-restricted EBV BMLF-1 (GLCTLVAML), LMP-2A (CLGGLLTMV), and HLA-A*24:02-restricted EBV BRLF-1 (DYCNVLNKEF) and EBNA3 (RYSIFFDY)-specific T cells. We created retroviral-transfected Jurkat cell lines with a Melan-A/MART-1-specific TCR(+) and the CD8α chain to study TCR(+) DN T cells in response to their nominal MHC class I/peptide ligand. We show that DN T cells exhibit increased TCRζ chain phosphorylation as compared with the TCR(+)CD8(+) transgenic T-cell line. DN T cells contribute to antigen-specific T-cell responses and represent an effector T-cell population that may be explored in immunotherapeutic approaches against viral infections or transformed cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD8 Antigens / metabolism
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / metabolism
  • HLA-A24 Antigen / metabolism
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transcriptome
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD8 Antigens
  • HLA-A*02:01 antigen
  • HLA-A*24:02 antigen
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • HLA-A24 Antigen
  • Interleukin-8
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta