Up-regulated expression in nonhematopoietic tissues of the BCL2A1-derived minor histocompatibility antigens in response to inflammatory cytokines: relevance for allogeneic immunotherapy of leukemia

T cells directed against hematopoietic-restricted minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags) may mediate graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reactivity without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Recently, the HLA-A24-restricted mHag ACC-1 and the HLA-B44-restricted mHag ACC-2 encoded by separate polymorphisms within the BCL2A1 gene were characterized. Hematopoietic-restricted expression was suggested for these mHags. We demonstrate BCL2-related protein All (BCL2A1) mRNA expression in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that was up-regulated by the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha. (TNF-alpha) and/or interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Analysis of cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma production illustrated that ACC-2-specific T cells did not recognize untreated MSCs or IFN-gamma-treated MSCs but showed specific recognition and killing of MSCs treated with TNF-alpha plus IFN-gamma. We hypothesize that under steady-state circumstances BCL2A1-specific T cells may exhibit relative specificity for hematopoietic tissue, but reactivity against nonhematopoietic cells may occur when inflammatory infiltrates are present. Thus, the role of BCL2A1-specific T cells in differential induction of GVL reactivity and GVHD may depend on the presence of inflammatory responses that may occur during GVHD.