Diversity in the biological properties of anti‐influenza cytotoxic T cell clones

Abstract

This study reports the examination of in vivo and in vitro properties of an antigendependent murine cytotoxic T cell (T_c) clone T5/5 specific for type A influenza virus. This clone differs morphologically and in its migratory pattern and biological properties from a previously examined anti-influenza T_c clone L4 which grew in T cell growth factor independently of antigen. Unlike T_c clone L4, T5/5 cells do not release significant amounts of immune interferon on contact with influenza-infected target cells nor do they limit virus replication in vivo, although they efficiently lyse influenza-infected target cells and can release interferon in the presence of concanavalin A. Thus individual T_c clones vary in function and further work is required to establish the properties of T_c that are associated with host protection against virus infection.