Antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell help is required to activate a memory CD8(+) T cell to a fully functional tumor killer cell

作者：Gao FG; Khammanivong V; Liu WJ; Leggatt GR; Frazer IH; Fernando GJP^*

来源：Cancer Research, 2002, 62(22): 6438-6441.

Although the importance of CD4(+) T-cell help for generation of an effective CD8(+) effector cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response is well established, the role of T-cell help in the activation of memory T cells to become fully functional tumor killer cells is undefined. Using synthetic peptide immunizations corresponding to the major CTLs and T-helper epitopes of ovalbumin, adoptive transfers of ovalbumin-specific memory CTLs (mCTLs), and ovalbumin as the tumor-specific antigen in a mouse tumor model, we have determined that T help is essential for the activation of mCTLs to kill tumors. Our data show that T-helper cells specific for the tumor-associated antigen are required for the reactivation of mCTLs by antigen presented indirectly from tumor. In contrast, effector CTLs do not need T help to kill tumors. These results have implications for induction of tumor immunotherapy by immunization.

• 出版日期2002-11-15