Go to The Journal of Clinical Investigation
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Transfers
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
  • Physician-Scientist Development
  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • By specialty
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Immunology
    • Metabolism
    • Nephrology
    • Oncology
    • Pulmonology
    • All ...
  • Videos
  • Collections
    • In-Press Preview
    • Resource and Technical Advances
    • Clinical Research and Public Health
    • Research Letters
    • Editorials
    • Perspectives
    • Physician-Scientist Development
    • Reviews
    • Top read articles

  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • Specialties
  • In-Press Preview
  • Resource and Technical Advances
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Research Letters
  • Editorials
  • Perspectives
  • Physician-Scientist Development
  • Reviews
  • Top read articles
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Transfers
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
T cell optimization for graft-versus-leukemia responses
Melinda A. Biernacki, Vipul S. Sheth, Marie Bleakley
Melinda A. Biernacki, Vipul S. Sheth, Marie Bleakley
View: Text | PDF
Review

T cell optimization for graft-versus-leukemia responses

  • Text
  • PDF
Abstract

Protection from relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is partly due to donor T cell–mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) immune responses. Relapse remains common in HCT recipients, but strategies to augment GVL could significantly improve outcomes after HCT. Donor T cells with αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) mediate GVL through recognition of minor histocompatibility antigens and alloantigens in HLA-matched and -mismatched HCT, respectively. αβ T cells specific for other leukemia-associated antigens, including nonpolymorphic antigens and neoantigens, may also deliver an antileukemic effect. γδ T cells may contribute to GVL, although their biology and specificity are less well understood. Vaccination or adoptive transfer of donor-derived T cells with natural or transgenic receptors are strategies with potential to selectively enhance αβ and γδ T cell GVL effects.

Authors

Melinda A. Biernacki, Vipul S. Sheth, Marie Bleakley

×

Figure 3

Strategies to augment donor LAA– and/or minor H antigen–specific T cell immunity.

Options: View larger image (or click on image) Download as PowerPoint
Strategies to augment donor LAA– and/or minor H antigen–specific T cell ...
(A) Generation of transgenic antigen-specific T cells. Donor leukocytes are collected, enriched for Tm by CD45RA depletion or selection of virus-specific cells, transduced to express a transgenic TCR specific for a defined minor H antigen or LAA, purified, expanded, and infused into the recipient at the time of HCT or subsequently. The box depicts a schematic of transgenic TCR development (left to right): a T cell clone with a well-characterized high-affinity hematopoietically restricted minor H antigen– or LAA-specific TCR is identified and the α and β chains of the TCR are sequenced, and then cloned into a viral vector for transfer. (B) Primary in vitro stimulation of antigen-specific T cells. Donor leukocytes are stimulated with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) pulsed with peptides for one or multiple LAAs and/or minor H antigens to produce a T cell product with an expanded population of LAA- and/or minor H antigen–specific effector T cells for infusion into the recipient with or without additional enrichment. (C) In vivo expansion of antigen-specific T cells using vaccination. Donors are vaccinated against one or multiple LAAs and/or minor H antigens several months before HCT, using peptide- or cell-based vaccines, to allow formation of Tcm responses against the antigens. Antigen-specific Tcm are then transferred either with the PBSC graft at the time of HCT, or as DLI after HCT, with or without additional manipulation (e.g., further enrichment of Tcm or depletion of CD45RA+ cells) to reduce the risk of GVHD. Illustrated by Rachel Davidowitz.

Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN 2379-3708

Sign up for email alerts