Development and antigen specificity of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in beta 2-microglobulin-negative, MHC class I-deficient mice in response to immunization with tumor cells.

beta 2-Microglobulin knockout mice (beta 2-m-/-) with MHC class I expression deficiency are able to develop functional TCR(+)-alpha beta, CD8+ CTLs in response to tumor cell injection. The i.p. injection of beta 2-m-/- mice with tumor results in the massive accumulation of highly lytic CD8+ CTLs in the peritoneum and causes the local recruitment of CD8+ T cells into lymph nodes and spleens of immune animals. The accumulation of CD8+ CTLs in peritoneum is accompanied by the rejection of tumor cells and the survival of animals. The deficiency in MHC class I expression in beta 2-m/- mice is reflected in the delayed tumor rejection and CD8+ cell accumulation during the primary anti-tumor response in comparison with normal mice. The secondary response, however, is identical in normal and MHC class I-deficient mice. The rejection of tumor cells appears to be MHC class I directed because no rejection of tumors, no accumulation of CD8+ CTLs, and no survival of animals were observed when syngeneic tumor cells were used for injection with the notable exception of anti-minor Ag response. The Ag specificity of CD8+ CTLs in beta 2-m-/- mice is demonstrated using a panel of tumor target cells and class I transfectants. Although no substantial differences were found in the number and specificity of peritoneal CD8+ CTLs in beta 2-m-/- and normal mice using tumor rejection studies, the analysis of TCR-V beta phenotype using the panel of mAbs revealed the reduction in proportion of TCR-V beta 5 and TCR-V beta 6 used by CD8+ cell population from beta 2-m-/- mice. Development of lytic and H-2-directed CD8+ cells in regional lymph nodes was also observed after footpad immunization of beta 2-m-/- mice with TNP-labeled C57BL/6 splenocytes, suggesting anti-minor Ag reaction.