T-cell responses associated with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: isolation of HPA-1a-specific, HLA-DRB3*0101-restricted CD4+ T cells

Blood. 2009 Apr 16;113(16):3838-44. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-09-178475. Epub 2009 Jan 9.

Abstract

T-cell responses have been implicated in the development of HPA-1a-induced neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT). However, HPA-1a-specific T cells have neither been isolated nor characterized. Here, we aimed to determine whether HPA-1a-specific T cells could be isolated from HPA-1a-immunized women. In the present study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from an HPA-1a-alloimmunized woman were cultured for weeks in the presence of HPA-1a peptide, labeled with CFSE, and assayed for antigen-specific proliferation. Individual proliferating cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and expanded in culture. Antigen specificity and HLA restriction were determined by cytokine secretion (enzyme-linked immunospot [ELISPOT]) and proliferation assays. Several CD3(+)CD4(+) T-cell clones were isolated that proliferated and secreted cytokines in response to HPA-1a peptide. Two of these clones have been established in long-term culture in our laboratory. Both of these recognize synthetic as well as naturally processed HPA-1a antigen, and the recognition is restricted by the MHC molecule HLA-DRB3*0101 that is strongly associated with NAIT. These HPA-1a-specific T-cell clones represent unambiguous evidence for the association of T-cell responses with NAIT, and they will serve as unique tools to elucidate the cellular immune response that may result in NAIT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, Human Platelet / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-DRB3 Chains
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Peptides / immunology*
  • Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Human Platelet
  • Cytokines
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DRB3 Chains
  • Peptides