Abstract
Using a modification of the autologous mixed lymphocyte/tumour cell culture (MLTC), it is demonstrated here that lymphocytes from chronic-phase myelogenous leukaemia (CML) patients (n = 58), but not from their HLA-identical siblings, proliferated upon coculture with autologous tumour cells. However, in most cases, the level of proliferation measured was low (stimulation index <3, n = 37). This was most likely related to the amount of interleukin-10 (IL-10) released into the culture medium by the CML cells, because addition of neutralizing anti-IL-10 serum to MLTC markedly enhanced proliferative responses. In addition, supplementation of media with IL-1α further enhanced proliferative responses and a combination of anti-IL-10 serum and IL-1α was more effective than either agent alone. Only HLA-DR-matched CML cells, but not HLA-DR-mismatched CML cells or matched or mismatched PBMC restimulated proliferation of IL-2-dependent T cell lines derived from MLTC supplemented with IL-1α and anti-IL-10 serum. The responding cells under these conditions were predominantly CD4+ and secreted IL-2, and interferon γ; some secreted IL-4, but none secreted IL-10. These data therefore suggest the existence of an HLA-DR-restricted DTH/Th1-type of tumour-specific immunity in CML patients, which may be down-regulated in vitro by excessive secretion of IL-10 together with depressed secretion of IL-1.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 9 November 1995 / Accepted: 8 February 1996
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pawelec, G., Rehbein, A., Schlotz, E. et al. Cellular immune responses to autologous chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells in vitro. Cancer Immunol Immunother 42, 193–199 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002620050270
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002620050270