IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secretion by CD4+ and CD8+ TCR alpha beta + T-cell clones derived early after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Secretion of the potentially antileukaemic cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was investigated for CD4+ and CD8+ TCR alpha beta + T-cell clones derived from 4 leukaemia patients 3-6 weeks after allogeneic BMT. We investigated cytokine secretion in response to the activation signal accessory cells+phytohaemagglutinin+Interleukin 2. All clones derived after BMT were capable of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secretion, and both for CD4+ (n = 96) and CD8+ (n = 8) T cells quantities of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were significantly correlated with one another. When comparing the overall results for posttransplant and normal T-cell clones derived from 2 bone marrow donors (n = 65), both CD4+ and CD8+ TCR alpha beta + T-cell clones showed increased IFN-gamma production, and CD4+ but not CD8+ clones showed a decreased TNF-alpha secretion. The results suggest that noncytotoxic T cells derived after allogeneic BMT can produce IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and may thus be capable of mediating antileukaemic effects.