Human mature T cells that are anergic in vivo prevail in SCID mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood

In these studies we have characterized the human cells that repopulate severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice after injection of adult peripheral blood or cord blood (hu-PBL-SCID mice). In all organs of the chimeras, and at any time point tested, single-positive (CD4+ or CD8+) T cells that expressed the alpha/beta T cell receptor (TCR) prevailed. All T cells were CD45RO+ and the majority were also HLA-DR+. Thus, the human T cells in the chimeras exhibited the phenotype of mature, memory cells that showed signs of recent activation. Cell cycle studies revealed a mitotically active human T cell population in the murine host. However, when freshly isolated from the chimeras, the human T cells were refractory to stimulation by anti-CD3 antibody but proliferated in response to exogenous interleukin 2. Chimera-derived human T cell lines retained this state of unresponsiveness to TCR- triggered proliferation for 4-6 wk in vitro. Subsequently, the T cell lines developed responses to anti-CD3 stimulation and 9 of 11 of the lines also proliferated in response to splenic stimulator cells of SCID mice. These data demonstrate that the human T cells are in a state of reversible anergy in the murine host and that xenoreactivity might play a critical role in hu-PBL-SCID mice. Mechanisms that may determine repopulation of SCID mice with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells are discussed.