Donor APCs are required for maximal GVHD but not for GVL

CC Matte, J Liu, J Cormier, BE Anderson… - Nature medicine, 2004 - nature.com
CC Matte, J Liu, J Cormier, BE Anderson, I Athanasiadis, D Jain, J McNiff, WD Shlomchik
Nature medicine, 2004nature.com
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major source of morbidity in allogenic stem cell
transplantation. We previously showed that recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are
required for CD8-dependent GVHD in a mouse model across only minor histocompatibility
antigens (minor H antigens). However, these studies did not address the function of donor-
derived APCs after GVHD is initiated. Here we show that GVHD develops in recipients of
donor major histocompatibility complex class I–deficient (MHC I−) bone marrow. Thus, after …
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major source of morbidity in allogenic stem cell transplantation. We previously showed that recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are required for CD8-dependent GVHD in a mouse model across only minor histocompatibility antigens (minor H antigens). However, these studies did not address the function of donor-derived APCs after GVHD is initiated. Here we show that GVHD develops in recipients of donor major histocompatibility complex class I–deficient (MHC I) bone marrow. Thus, after initial priming, CD8 cells caused GVHD without a further requirement for hematopoietic APCs, indicating that host APCs are necessary and sufficient for GHVD. Nonetheless, GVHD was less severe in recipients of MHC I bone marrow. Therefore, once initiated, GVHD is intensified by donor-derived cells, most probably donor APCs cross-priming alloreactive CD8 cells. Nevertheless, donor APCs were not required for CD8-mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) against a mouse model of chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. These studies identify donor APCs as a new target for treating GVHD, which may preserve GVL.
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