Date of Award
1990
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Abstract
The T cell-mediated response to a syngeneic tumour has been studied using the DBA{dollar}\\{dollar} 2-P815X mouse tumour model. If one hopes to intervene to change (improve) the immune response of a cancer patient to their tumour, it is necessary to understand the role(s) of the cells involved in that response.;The potential magnitude of a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response depends, in part, upon the precursor or pCTL frequency. A limiting dilution assay (LDA) has been developed and used to measure the frequency of pCTL's in the animal both prior to tumour implantation and during the growth of the tumour. As well, it indicates whether or not suppressor cells, capable of down-regulating the immune response to the tumour, are present.;With the DBA{dollar}\\{dollar} 2-P815X syngeneic tumour model, there is an increase in pCTL frequency in the spleens of tumour-bearing mice two weeks after tumour implantation. Also, a correlation between pCTL frequency and tumour size, and between the presence of suppressor cells and tumour size, has been found. When pCTL frequencies are measured in normal animals, prior to tumour implantation, there is a correlation of that frequency with tumour progression after implantation. Higher frequencies correlate with smaller tumour sizes.;These results suggest that the frequency of precursors of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, specific for a syngeneic tumour, and the presence or absence of suppressor cells, may influence the growth of that tumour.
Recommended Citation
Howell, Robert Llewellyn, "The T Cell-mediated Response To A Syngeneic Tumour: Precytotoxic T Lymphocyte Frequency Measured By Limiting Dilution Assay" (1990). Digitized Theses. 1885.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/1885