Induction of an antigen-specific, CD1-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response in vivo

The majority of T cell responses are restricted to peptide antigens bound by polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. However, peptide antigens can be presented to T cells by murine non-MHC-encoded CD1d (mCD1) molecules, and human T cell lines specific for nonpeptide antigens presented on CD1 isoforms have been identified. It is shown here that antigen-specific, mCD1-restricted lymphocytes can be generated in vivo by immunizing mice with a combination of plasmids encoding chicken ovalbumin, murine CD1d, and costimulatory molecules. Splenocytes from immunized mice have CD1d-restricted, MHC-unrestricted, ovalbumin-specific cytolytic activity that can be inhibited by anti-CD1 antibodies as well as a competing CD1-binding peptide. These results suggest a physiologic role for murine CD1d to present exogenous protein antigens.