We tested two biological properties of a continuously growing mouse cytotoxic T cell line, L4, which is specific for influenza A virus and has been cloned and recloned many times. We previously reported that L4 cells are H-2 restricted and cross-reactive for all type A influenza viruses, whereas they do not recognize type B influenza viruses. They bear Thy-1 and Lyt-2 markers. In the present study, we show that L4 cytotoxic T cells protect mice against a lethal influenza infection on transfer to syngeneic recipients, and reduce virus titers in the lungs of mice challenged with a heterologous type A influenza virus. This provides further support for the active role of cytotoxic T cells in limiting virus replication in influenza infection. We could also demonstrate that the cloned cytotoxic T cells induce a delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction in the footpads of mice challenged with live or inactivated influenza virus. This reaction can be observed at 24 h, but has declined by 48 h. A clone of cells derived from L4 that has lost its cytotoxic potential and its ability to recognize infected cells did not induce a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the presence of virus. Thus, cytotoxic T cells actively killing influenza virus-infected cells are able to induce a delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction to homologous and heterologous type A influenza viruses.
Article|
August 01 1981
Biological properties of an influenza A virus-specific killer T cell clone. Inhibition of virus replication in vivo and induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.
Y L Lin
B A Askonas
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1981) 154 (2): 225–234.
Citation
Y L Lin, B A Askonas; Biological properties of an influenza A virus-specific killer T cell clone. Inhibition of virus replication in vivo and induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.. J Exp Med 1 August 1981; 154 (2): 225–234. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.154.2.225
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