Kinetics of the anti-recipient cytotoxic cell response of mice with minor histocompatibility antigen graft-vs-host disease.

The kinetics of the anti-recipient cytotoxic cell response of spleen cells from mice undergoing graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) induced to minor histocompatibility antigens were studied. Two population of cytotoxic cells were identified. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were present in recipient spleens 2 and 3 wk after transplantation but disappeared from the spleens before the onset of clinical disease. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) were first detected in recipient spleens 2 wk after transplantation and were present during clinical disease. CTL may function as effectors in GVHD induced to minor histocompatibility antigens.