Rapid induction of tumor necrosis factor cytotoxicity in naive splenic T cells by simultaneous CD80 (B7.1) and CD54 (ICAM-1) co-stimulation

The co-expression of B7.1 (CD80) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 (CD54) on tumor cells can induce tumor immunity and immunological memory. We show here that the non-immunogenic tumor lines Lewis lung carcinoma and B16F10 melanoma, co-transfected with B7.1 and ICAM-1, induced cytotoxic levels of membrane tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on naive syngeneic T cells within 24 h. Membrane TNF expression, primarily on CD4 cells, was responsible for tumor cell lysis by naive spleen cells and could be completely abolished by anti-TNF antiserum. It is suggested that the strong induction of TNF cytotoxicity may be important in the establishment of tumor immunity.