The long term goal of this project is to identify a population of donor T cells that can be used to prevent graft rejection without significant graft versus host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. In order to assess the feasibility of using CD8 cells to assure engraftment without causing GVHD, the phenotype and function of donor CD8+ T cells must be established. The investigator will test: (1) whether the desired cell must be cytotoxic, (2) whether alloantigens expressed only on lymphohematopoietic cells are more effective targets than broadly expressed alloantigens, (3) whether T cells with low affinity TCR are better than T cells with high affinity TCR, and (4) whether donor T cells must migrate and home to lymph nodes in order to prevent rejection. In addition, the role of alloimmunization of the recipient will be tested. Identification of a CD8 population that can prevent rejection without causing GVHD in mice will lead to the testing of similar approaches in humans. These results will be of importance not only for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation but also for the design of novel adoptive immunotherapies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL055257-05
Application #
6151326
Study Section
Experimental Immunology Study Section (EI)
Project Start
1996-02-01
Project End
2002-01-31
Budget Start
2000-02-01
Budget End
2002-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$238,333
Indirect Cost
Name
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
078200995
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98109