Background: The curative effects of GvL following transfer of donor-derived T cells during allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) are well established. However, little is known about the nature, origin and kinetics of the anti-leukemic T-cell responses involved.
Methods: We used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for interferongamma mRNA production (IFN-gamma) and PR1/HLA-A*0201 tetramer staining to detect PR1-specific CD8+ T-cell activity in a donor and a patient with CML. Unbiased strand switch anchored RT-PCR was used to further characterize specific clones in PR1 sorted CD8+ T-cell populations.
Results: We identified PR1-specific CD8(+) T-cell clones from a donor pre-transplant, and demonstrated their transfer in the recipient's blood post-SCT using molecular tracking of Ag-specific T-cell receptors. PR1-specific CD8(+) T-cell populations were polyclonal, with a range of functional avidities for cognate Ag, and displayed predominantly effector memory phenotype early post-SCT, suggesting active stimulation in vivo. Expansion of these PR1-specific CD8(+) T-cell clones in the recipient was followed by complete remission of CML.
Discussion: This report represents the first direct demonstration that PR1-specific CD8(+) T-cell clones can be transferred during SCT, and supports the feasibility of pre-transplant vaccination strategies that aim to boost the number of anti-leukemic T cells in the graft.