B cell growth factor (BCGF) secreting human T cell clones reactive to a soluble glycoprotein antigen, streptococcal antigen (SA)

A panel of human T cell clones bearing exclusively the helper (T4) phenotype and showing reactivities to a soluble glycoprotein antigen (185,000 dalton Mol. Wt. Streptococcal antigen, SA) is described. Two of these clones namely, SA 1.53 and SA 1.82, are found to co-produce B cell growth factor (BCGF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the absence of interleukin 2 (IL2) upon stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or the specific antigen in the presence of irradiated autologous antigen-presenting cells (APC). Secretion of the lymphokines is genetically restricted in part by DR molecules that are expressed on the cloned cells and APC. Produced BCGF is differentiated from the BCGF-promoting property of IFN-gamma in that only IFN-gamma activity, but not BCGF activity is removed and inhibited by anti-IFN-gamma antibodies. Exogenous IL2 induces secretion of BCGF and IFN-gamma of the cloned cells, an observation which involves interaction of IL2 with IL2 receptors. An analysis of the proliferative responses to antigen of the T cell clones shows that BCGF-producing clones, unlike those that secrete IL2, fail to proliferate significantly to specific antigen restimulation.