# REGULATION OF HUMAN CYTOLYTIC T LYMPHOCYTES

> **NIH NIH R01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 1989 · $185,410

## Abstract

The ultimate goal of this research is to define the human cytolytic T
lymphocyte (CTL) response to leukemia by utilizing purified and
well-characterized antigens, cloned CTL lines, and monoclonal antibodies to
functional T-cell subsets.  In order to better understand the CTL response,
it is necessary to define the antigens that trigger this response and to
define the cell interactiona that regulate this response.  Since CTLs
appear in all cases studied to respond to integral membrane proteins
(whether they be foreign MHC antigens or autologous MHC antigens in
association with foreign antigens such as a virus), it has been difficult
to define the antigens involved in CTL triggering.  Initial studies in
murine xenogeneic, allogeneic, and syngeneic CTL model systems demonstrate
that H-2 and HLA antigens can be isolated from the cell surface and retain
CTL stimulating activity.  These results suggest that the antigenic
requirements for the stimulation of human CTLs can be approached in a
similar manner.

The ability to obtain cloned CTL lines should allow one to define more
precisely the specificity of CTLs.  Thus, one can hope to determine what
target antigens are recognized by monoclonal CTLs when triggered by
well-defined antigens, i.e., purified MHC antigens or purified viral
antigens plus MHC antigens inserted into artificial membranes or
liposomes.  The ability to obtain cloned helper T cells or suppressor T
cells should also allow a more careful delineation of the cell-cell
interactions that regulate the CTL response.

These cloned functional T-cell lines may provide the appropriate reagents
to raise antibodies to antigens specific for functional subsets of T
cells.  The availability of antibodies to human CTLs should subdivide the
T-cell subset defined by OKT5 and OKT8 and allow a separation of CTLs from
suppressor T cells.  These new reagents may also allow us to isolate
biochemically and define these cell surface antigens, possibly even
resulting in the isolation and characterization of functional T-cell
receptors.  (LB)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3171888
- **Project number:** 5R01CA034129-08
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **SAM.gov UEI:** DPMGH9MG1X67
- **Principal Investigator:** Steven J. Burakoff
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $185,410
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-07-01 → 1991-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3171888

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3171888, REGULATION OF HUMAN CYTOLYTIC T LYMPHOCYTES (5R01CA034129-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3171888. Licensed CC0.

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