In vitro induction of MUC-1 peptide-specific type 1 T lymphocyte and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses from healthy multiparous donors

We have recently provided evidence that there is a natural immunization against human cancer-associated MUC-1 mucin epitopes during pregnancy by studying MUC-1 Ag-specific T cell lines established from multiparous women. Using this experimental model system, we now report that MUC-1 peptide-specific MHC class I-restricted CTLs can be generated in vitro using T cells from multiparous women stimulated with synthetic MUC-1 peptide-loaded, autologous APCs. The complexity of cytokines produced in response to the MUC-1 peptide by anti-MUC-1 T-cells was examined. IFN-gamma was generated by MUC-1-specific T cell lines in long term cultures, whereas in short term cultures, both IFN-gamma and IL-4 were produced. The presence of MUC-1-reactive T cells in multiparous women is consistent with their potential role in immune surveillance and provides a rationale for the use of certain synthetic MUC-1 peptides for active specific immunotherapy of human carcinomas.