Generation of HLA-A2 subtype specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes from cord blood used for cord blood stem cell transplantation

Alloantigen reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated from cord blood (CB) lymphocytes used for cord blood stem cell transplantation (CBSCT). The CTL were cytotoxic against the patient's leukemic cells, as well as the patient's EBV-lymphoblastoid cell line (EBV-LCL), and PHA blasts. The cytotoxicity against patient's EBV-LCL was blocked by anti-HLA-A2 MoAb, and anti-HLA-class I MoAb. The CTL recognized A*0206 positive EBV-LCLs, but not A*0201, A*0204, or A*0207 positive EBV-LCLs, suggesting that this CTL recognizes HLA-A*0206. This case suggests that CB T cells may be competent enough to generate CTL to induce a GVL effect, together with those against A*0206, in patients with CBSCT.