Development and characterization of allospecific long-term human cytolytic T-cell lines.

Abstract

Two long-term human cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) lines (VE and JR), whose cytolytic activity was dependent upon irradiated [human neoplastic lymphoblast] JY cells (the stimulating alloantigen) and T cell growth factor, were established. These lines were monitored in culture for 6-8 mo. Both lines were specific for HLA-A or B antigens or both; the JR line was allospecific for HLA-B7. The CTL lines killed specific target cells [human neoplastic lymphoblastoid cells and mouse mastocytoma P-815 cells] at an effector-to-target ratio of 0.4 (VE) or 0.08 (JR). All of the cells which grow in suspension rosetted with sheep erythrocytes and reacted with an antiserum specific for human T cells. The CTL line VE was used to raise rabbit antisera that immunoprecipitated 2 specific polypeptides (78,000 and 33,000 daltons) from labeled membranes of these CTL lines.