Generation of autologous Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T cells for adoptive immunotherapy in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) affect 2%-27% of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Adoptive immunotherapy may have therapeutic potential in this setting, but there is little experience in generating autologous EBV-specific cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes (EBV-CTLs) from SOT recipients, and their efficacy and persistence in an immunosuppressed environment is unknown.

Methods: EBV-CTLs were generated from eight SOT recipients, using weekly stimulations with autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and interleukin-2.

Expression of the growth-associated protein GAP-43 in adult rat retinal ganglion cells following axon injury.

We have studied the expression of the growth-associated protein GAP-43 after injury to the axons of adult rat retinal ganglion cells (CNS neurons that do not normally regenerate injured axons). Both the biosynthetic labeling of GAP-43 and the GAP-43 immunoreactivity of the retina increased after axotomy, but only when the injury was within 3 mm of the eye. These results suggest the following conclusions: First, axon injury is sufficient to alter GAP-43 expression in CNS neurons, even in the absence of regeneration.