A high proportion of T lymphocytes that infiltrate H-2-incompatible heart allografts in vivo express genes encoding cytotoxic cell-specific serine proteases, but do not express the MEL-14-defined lymph node homing receptor.
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
3280725
Abstract
The role of cytotoxic cells in in vivo immune functions such as allograft rejection is unknown. To begin to assess the function of cytolytic cells in vivo we have begun with cytolytic cell-specific functional molecules: we have isolated and characterized cytolytic cell-specific cDNA clones from cytolytic T cell clones, both encoding distinct serine esterases. The HF gene encodes a trypsin-like enzyme while the C11 gene encodes an enzyme with likely specificity for acidic residues. Here we demonstrate, using in situ hybridization with RNA probe, that both genes are expressed selectively in a subset of T lymphocytes that have infiltrated cardiac allografts. The phenotype of these cells is consistent with the most frequent phenotype of active CTL raised in vitro: they are predominantly CD4-, CD8+, MEL-14- T cell blasts. Thus the expression of these genes, each of which encodes serine esterase found in killer cell granules in vitro, is a valid marker for these cells in vivo as well. The kinetics of their accumulation is consistent with, but not proof of, a putative role in allograft rejection. It is likely that HF and C11 gene expression will be of diagnostic value.
Date Issued
1988-03-01
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Gershenfeld, Howard K | |
Lobe, Corinne G | |
Okada, Craig Y | |
Bleackley, R Chris | |
Weissman, Irwing L |
Additional Credits
Journal
Journal of experimental medicine
Publisher
Rockefeller University Press
ISSN
0022-1007
Access(Rights)
restricted