The role of TH cells in memory CTL mediated tumor protection
Objective: To study the role of T cell in the activation of memory T cells and shifting to functional tumor killer cells. Methods: Adoptive transfers SIINFEKL specific CTL to RAG mice and then immunized them with SIINFEKL to generate ovalbumin specific memory CTL. C57BL/6 mice were adoptive transferred with memory CTL immunized with T-helper epitopes of ovalbumin and then challenged with ovalbumin specific tumor cells. Results: With SIINFEKL immunization, specific CTL proliferated and acquired memory CTL phenotypes; OVA specific T cells could help the host to generate more specific CTL but this effect is not strong enough to get tumor inhibition. Memory CTL needs T cells to completely regress the development of tumor formation. Conclusion: Long lasting antitumor effect needs both antigen specific memory CTL and specific T cells and so the design of tumor vaccine should include specific CTL and T peptides.