Histocompatibility antigen-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes: II. Estimates of the frequency and specificity of precursors*

K. Fischer Lindahl, D. B. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

304 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using limiting dilutions of responding cells in mouse mixed leukocyte cultures, we obtained direct estimates of the minimum frequency of precursors of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL.P) for a variety of antigens. Depending on the strain combination, there were as many as 4-15 CTL. P reactive to DBA/2 among 104 lymph node cells. Taking into account that only 5-10% of peripheral T lymphocytes have the potential to develop into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) (6), this implies that at least 1-2% of all CTL. P are responsive to any given H-2 haplotype difference. Precursors of cytotoxic cells thus have the same high frequency of cells reactive to alloantigens of the major histocompatibility complex as found among proliferating cells in graft-vs.-host reactions and mixed lymphocyte interactions. The frequencies of CTL. P reactive to xenoantigens (rat) or trinitrophenyl-modified self were less than half the frequency of alloreactive CTL.P. A minority of the CTL. P specific for one H-2 haplotype were also reactive to a third party H-2 haplotype, presumably on the basis of recognition of shared determinants. By dilution of sensitized cells from single microcultures, it was shown that a single CTL. P undergoes a minimum of three to four cell divisions and generates at least 8-16 CTLs after antigenic activation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)508-522
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume145
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 1977

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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