Natural Killer-like Cytotoxicity of Human T-Cell Clones against Various Target Cells

MLC-T cells from two different donors were cultured after limiting dilution (0.3 cells/well) in medium containing T-cell growth factor. Clones showing lytic activity against K-562 in a preliminary screening were expanded and tested against various NK-sensitive target-cell lines (Chang, T-24, Daudi, and Molt-4) and phytohaemagglutinin blasts derived from the stimulator cells. Ten growing clones maintained their activity against K-562 and were able to lyse the other cell lines. A significant heterogeneity was nevertheless noticed in the lytic efficiency of the different clones against the various target cells. Taken together, our data indicate that single clones are able to lyse different NK-sensitive targets.     

Heterogeneity of human T-lymphocyte clones generated from autologous mixed-lymphocyte cultures

To assess the heterogeneity of T cells activated during the autologous mixed-lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), a cloning procedure based on the soft agar colony assay was developed. Supernatants of allogeneic MLR cultures were used as a source of interleukin 2 (IL-2) to generate two types of colonies: upper and lower colonies. Both types of colonies were expanded in long-term cultures using supernatants of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated lymphocyte cultures. Cloned cells underwent secondary proliferation when stimulated by autologous monocytes, although certain clones also responded to autologous B cells. Most autoactivated clones expressed the serological determinants of HLA-DR, MB, and MT and were OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT8-. They did not induce cytolysis of autologous monocytes, B lymphoblasts, or PHA blasts nor did they express natural killer-like activity toward K562 cells. Several autoactivated clones (irradiated with 500 R) expressed helper activity, shown by an enhancing effect on AMLR proliferation. Furthermore, many irradiated clones were capable of inducing proliferation of autologous T cells in the absence of accessory cells. These observations suggest that autoactivated clones generated from soft agar colonies may interact with autologous T lymphocytes.     

Liver-derived T cell clones in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis: accessory cell function of hepatocytes expressing class II major histocompatibility complex molecules

Thirty T cell clones were generated from T cell blasts, infiltrating the liver of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH) patients, stimulated with autologous hepatocytes expressing class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and interleukin 2 (IL2). Sixteen clones were CD4+ and 14 were CD8+; all were CD25+ and WT31+, revealing that all cell lines expressed the alpha/beta chains of T cell receptor. Five CD4+ and 4 CD8+ T clones proliferated in response to hepatocytes expressing both class I and class II antigens. The hepatocyte recognition was MHC restricted because only class II MHC-matched hepatocytes were able to stimulate the CD4+ T clones, while only class I-matched hepatocytes stimulated CD8+ T clones, and because MoAbs to monomorphic determinants of class II antigens or to class I antigens appeared to block the response of the CD4+ and CD8+ T clones, respectively. These findings, together with the observation that autologous irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (iPBMC) were unable to stimulate the clones, indicate that the response of these clones was directed to a liver membrane antigen in association with class II or class I MHC molecules on the surface of the hepatocytes. All the CD8+ T clones and 5 CD4+ T clones expressed high cytotoxic activity in a lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay; 10 CD8+ and 3 CD4+ T clones also showed natural killer (NK)-like function. The cytolytic machinery was also present in those clones (both CD8 and CD4) recognizing the HLA-matched hepatocytes. All liver-derived T clones were able to produce high amounts of interferon (IFN)-gamma, as well as being capable of secreting IL2, following PHA stimulation.     

Production of interferon and tumour necrosis factor by cloned human natural cytotoxic lymphocytes and T cells.

Cell lines and clones, derived from natural killer (NK) cell-enriched (B73.1+) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from several human donors, that expressed distinct surface phenotypes and were cytolytically active against K562 target cells were tested for their capacity to produce interferon (IFN) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IFN and TNF were measured firstly in biological assays and secondly in specific immunoassays for alpha-IFN, gamma-IFN and tumour necrosis factor (TNF alpha). It was found that the majority of NK-derived lines and clones were highly cytotoxic towards K562, but generally produced relatively low or undetectable levels of gamma-IFN and TNF alpha following stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin. No alpha-IFN was detected in supernatants from these cells. In comparison, cell lines and clones, derived from T lymphocyte (B73.1-) enriched PBL from the same donors were poorly cytotoxic towards K562, but generally produced higher levels of gamma-IFN and TNF than NK-derived cells. Thus, neither gamma-IFN nor TNF production were shown to correlate well with the capacity of NK-derived or T cell clones to effect cytotoxic action towards K562 in vitro. These results suggest that the co-production of gamma-IFN and TNF is not indicative of cytotoxic potential.     

Heterogeneity of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) populations at the clonal level: both NK and CD3+, CD4-, CD8- clones efficiently mediate tumor cell killing

To investigate at the clonal level the phenotypic and functional properties of interleukin 2 (IL-2) activated killer cells (LAK), recombinant IL-2 activated peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured under limiting conditions. Among 56 clones that lysed P815 in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (22% of total proliferating microcultures) 36 clones lysed also the natural killer (NK)-sensitive K562 and the NK-resistant Hu126 glioma cell lines and one clone lysed only the K562 cell line. Several LAK clones were further assayed for both phenotype and functional activity. Of 22 clones, 10 were CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, and expressed the CD16 marker of NK cells; only one clone had the conventional phenotype of cytolytic T cells (CD3+, CD4-, CD8+), while 11 clones were CD3+, CD4-, CD8- and did not express alpha/beta heterodimer of T-cell antigen receptor as identified by WT31 monoclonal antibody. Only one of the latter clones was CD16+. Endogenous production of IL-2 after stimulation with PHA and phorbol myristate acetate was positive in 3/9 CD3- and in 8/8 CD3+, CD4-, CD8- clones. CD3- mediated strong antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a function exerted also by some CD3+, CD4-, CD8- T-cell clones to a lower extent. CD3+, CD4-, CD8- T-cell clones lysed different major histocompatibility complex unrelated tumor targets; moreover, this lytic activity seems to be CD3 dependent.     

Spontaneous clones of cytotoxic T cells in culture. III. Discriminatory lysis of pairs of syngeneic blast induced by different mitogens.

When normal spleen cells are cultured for 4 days in polyacrylamide vessels, individual clones of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CL) can be detected. The specificity of these 'spontaneous' CL was investigated by assaying the cytotoxic acitivity of cells from individual clones against pairs of different target. Target cells used were syngeneic blast cells induced by dextran sulfate, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin A (ConA) and phytohemagglutin (PHA). It was found that LPS blasts were lysed by a separate set of CL clones from those which lysed PHA blasts of the same H-2 haplotype, and the clones of CL which lysed PHA blasts were a subset of all the clones which lysed ConA blasts. When individual clones of spontaneous CL were assayed against LPS and DS blasts, there were clones which lysed both types of blasts as well as clones which were specific for either LPS or DS blasts. These results have been interpreted as demonstrating that spontaneous CL can recognize and kill subsets of cells which are stimulated by different mitogens.     

Defects of natural killer cell activity in children with untreated acute lymphocytic leukemia

Summary Natural killer (NK) activity against cells of the K-562 line was significantly depressed in 12 of 18 children (66%) with untreated acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). No suppression of allogeneic NK activity was observed with sera of the patients, regardless of the level of NK depression. The ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) to suppress allogeneic NK activity was tested in two ALL patients — one with no detectable NK activity, and one with high NK activity. No NK-suppressive activity was found with PBLs of the areactive patient; PBLs of the reactive patients exhibited some suppressive activity, but only at a particular suppressor-to-effector cell ratio. Leukemic blasts were resistant to killing by autologous NK cells stimulated by IFN, as well as to killing by allogeneic, IFN-stimulated PBLs. Leukemic blasts of an ALL patient inhibited lysis of K-562 cells in an 18-h, but not in a 4-h NK assay. The inhibition could partly be reversed by pretreatment of ALL cells with alpha interferon, suggesting that the blasts might inhibit the lysis of K-562 targets in a competitive manner. Disturbed function and/or regulation of NK cells may influence attempts at NK cell activation by lymphokines.Abbreviations ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia - AML acute myeloid leukemia - CLL chronic lymphocytic leukemia - CML chronic myeloid leukemia - IFN interferon - IL-2 interleukin-2 - LGL large granular lymphocyte - NK cell natural killer cell - PBL peripheral blood lymphocyte - Poly I:C polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid     

Antigenic heterogeneity of a human melanoma tumor detected by autologous CTL clones

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a melanoma patient were stimulated with autologous melanoma cells in mixed lymphocyte tumor cultures (MLTC). After three restimulations, the lytic activity of the responder cells directed against the autologous melanoma cells was higher than that against K-562 and autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell line (EBV-B) cells. From these MLTC-responder cells, we derived specific cytolytic T cell (CTL) clones that lysed the autologous melanoma cells and did not lyse K-562 or autologous EBV-B cells. Autologous melanoma clones were found that were resistant to some or all of these CTL clones. The autologous CTL clones recognized at least two different antigens (A, B) on the melanoma cells and three types of melanoma clones could be distinguished (A+B+, A+B-, A-B-). This antigenic heterogeneity of melanoma clones was confirmed by testing the CTL clones in cold target competition and also in antigen-dependent CTL proliferation assays performed with very small numbers of stimulator cells. The data further indicated an instability of the expression of a melanoma-associated antigen in the course of a long culture period. Among the melanoma clones that expressed antigen A, one was found to stimulate the proliferation of anti-A CTL clones much more effectively than the others. This represents a new type of heterogeneity among tumor cells which may be of significance for the elicitation of an autologous anti-tumoral immune response.     

Characterization of skin-infiltrating T lymphocytes during acute graft-versus-host disease

A panel of 34 clones was established from a cell line derived from the skin biopsy of a patient (genotype: A1, A2, B7, B8, DR3, DR6) undergoing acute graft-versus-host disease after semiallogeneic bone marrow transplantation with his mother's bone marrow (genotype: A1, A1, B7, B8, DR3, DR6). The T-cell line obtained presented the following phenotype: CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, CD16-, WT31+, T-cell receptor delta 1-, 4B4+, 2H4-, CD25+, DR+. This CD4+ T-cell line was poorly cytotoxic against the target cells tested, including the mother's phytohemagglutinin blasts as a negative control (autologous T cells), the father's phytohemagglutinin blasts bearing the mismatch haplotype, K562, U937, SVK14 (a keratinocyte cell line), and a panel of B-lymphoblastoid cell lines bearing HLA-A2, the known mismatch antigen. All but 1 of the 34 clones obtained were of CD4+ phenotype, and none was CD16+. Only the sole CD8+ clone showed significant cytotoxicity against the father's phytohemagglutinin blast; however, this cytotoxic activity was associated with the highest score for nonspecific killing against both K562 and U937. This work demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining a large panel of clones from a graft-versus-host disease target organ to constitute the basic cellular material for in vitro study of the graft-versus-host process.     

Generation of peptide-specific CD8+ T cells by phytohemagglutinin-stimulated antigen-mRNA-transduced CD4+ T cells

Functional analysis of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells is important for understanding the immune response in various immunological disorders. To analyze CD8(+) T cell responses to a variety of antigens with no readily defined peptides available, we developed a system using CD4(+) phytohemagglutinin (PHA) blasts transduced with mRNA for antigen molecules. CD4(+) PHA blasts express MHC class I and II, and also CD80 and CD86 and are thus expected to serve as potent antigen presenting cells. EGFP mRNA could be transduced into and the protein expressed by more than 90% of either LCL or CD4(+) PHA blasts. Its expression stably persisted for more than 2 weeks after transduction. In experiments with HLA-A*2402 restricted CD8(+) CTL clones for either EBNA3A or a cancer-testis antigen, SAGE, mRNA-transduced lymphoid cells were appropriate target cells in ELISPOT assays or (51)Cr releasing assays. Finally, using CD4(+) PHA blasts transduced with mRNA of a cancer-testis antigen MAGE-A4, we successfully generated specific CTL clones that recognized a novel HLA-B*4002 restricted epitope, MAGE-A4(223-231). Messenger RNA-transduced CD4(+) PHA blasts are thus useful antigen presenting cells for analysis of CD8(+) T cell responses and induction of specific T cells for potential immunotherapy.     

Differential effects of beta- and gamma-interferons on natural killer cell-mediated lysis of lung carcinoma cells

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy donors (PBL) poorly lyse lung carcinoma cell lines A-549, A-427 and SK- MES-1 when tested in a short-term chromium release assay. When PBL are preincubated with human beta-interferon (IFN-beta), these cell lines are lysed with an efficacy comparable to that of erythroleukemia K-562 cells, the standard targets used in natural killer cell assays. However, when PBL are preincubated with gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) instead, lysis of the lung carcinoma lines is little augmented. Unlabeled lung carcinoma A-549 cells block chromium release from labeled K-562 cells with non-boosted and IFN-gamma or IFN-beta-boosted effector cells. Also with the IFN-beta treated effectors, chromium release from A-549 targets is inhibited by unlabeled K-562 cells. Therefore, cells that lyse K-562 cells must be able to recognize A-549 cells, and, in the case of IFN-beta pretreated effectors, cause the killing of these cells as well. Data obtained with effector cells separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients also indicate that the same cells that lyse A-549 cells are responsible for lysis of K-562 cells. We conclude that in response to IFN-beta, effector cells previously able to lyse K-562, but unable to lyse A-549 targets, mature into fully competent killer cells capable of lysing tumor cells from lymphoid as well as from lung cancer origin. This effect is not elicited by IFN-gamma, indicating that killer cells respond differently to both interferon types.     

T cell nature of some lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Frequency analysis of LAK precursors within human T cell populations and clonal analysis of LAK effector cells

The cell lineage of the lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells has been reinvestigated. Both T and non-T cells, isolated on the basis of rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes (E), generated LAK activity after 3-4 days of culture in recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL 2) in 8 different individuals tested. By applying a microculture technique which allows clonal expansion of virtually all E rosetting T cells, we further analyzed the frequency of clonogenic LAK precursors within T cell populations. Approximately 1 of 25 T cells was found to be a LAK precursor. Moreover, microcultures with LAK activity lysed both the natural killer-sensitive K562 cell line and the P815 target cells in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Since cytolytic T lymphocytes capable of lysing P815 cells in the PHA-dependent assay were approximately 1/3, it is evident that only a minor subset of cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors can acquire LAK activity even in the presence of large amounts of IL 2. Several LAK clones obtained by limiting dilution were further expanded and analyzed for their phenotypic and functional properties. Twelve out of 14 clones analyzed expressed the T3+ T11+ phenotype whereas 2 were T3- T11+. All had maintained their original cytolytic pattern; moreover, the large majority of the T3+ clones produced IL 2 and interferon-gamma following PHA stimulation.     

In vivo activated cytotoxic T cells in the thyroid infiltrate of patients with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis.

High proportions of T8+ cells with inverted T4/T8 ratio were found in freshly isolated thyroid lymphocytes from patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, about one third of thyroid infiltrating cells expressed the TAC antigen, whereas in patient peripheral blood (PB) or normal lymphocytes from PB or lymphoid organs the percentage of TAC-positive cells was consistently lower than 10%. Following negative selection with OKT4 or OKT8 monoclonal antibodies and complement, TAC+ T cells were enriched in the T8+ cell population. Thyroid infiltrating T cells from two patients underwent two different cloning procedures. In the first, single T cells were initially activated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and interleukin 2 (IL-2), in the other with recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) alone. The majority of T cell clones obtained by initial PHA-stimulation (55-65%) had the T8+ phenotype, but the frequency of T8+ clones obtained by stimulating T cells with rIL-2 alone was even higher (78 & 71%, respectively). The majority of T8+ clones elicited by PHA (35/37 & 36/38) and all the T8+ clones (36/36 & 22/22) obtained from thyroid infiltrates with initial stimulation by rIL-2 displayed cytolytic activity. Most of cytolytic T8+ clones obtained from thyroid infiltrates with both cloning procedures, displayed NK activity against human K562 and MOLT-4 target cells, but not against a NK-resistant target, such as Raji cells. These data suggest that in Hashimoto's disease a considerable proportion of thyroid infiltrating T cells are in vivo activated T8+ cytolytic T cells with NK activity, which may be of importance in determining or maintaining the tissue damage of the target gland.     

Natural Killing and Antibody-Dependent Cytotoxicity by T Leukaemic Blasts from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Bone marrow T leukaemic blasts from four patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were examined as effectors in natural killing (NK) and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC). T leukaemic blasts demonstrated both NK (against K-562 cells as targets) and ADCC (against chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) and cells of SB cell line as targets). NK activity and ADCC (against SB cells) were comparable to NK and ADCC (against SB cells) of peripheral blood T cells from healthy controls. ADCC against CRBC by leukaemic blasts was lower than that of peripheral T cells from normal controls. Of leukaemic blasts 20–42% possessed IgG Fc receptors. This study demonstrates that T leukaemic blasts are effectors in NK and ADCC assays.     

Profiles of lymphokine activities and helper function for IgE in human T cell clones

A large panel of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced T cell clones (690 in total), established from four different human lymphoid tissues (peripheral blood, tonsils, lymph nodes and spleens) by a high-efficiency cloning technique, was characterized according to their pattern of lymphokine production. The majority of both CD4+ and CD8+ clones from all lymphoid tissues produced interleukin (IL) 2 and/or interferon (IFN)-gamma in response to 24-h stimulation with PHA. In contrast, higher proportions of IL 4-producing clones were found among CD4+ clones from tonsils and spleens than from peripheral blood and lymph nodes, whereas only a minority of CD8+ clones from all lymphoid tissues were found to produce IL 4. It was not possible to divide the CD4+ (helper/inducer) clones on the basis of their pattern of lymphokine activity into two clear-cut groups analogous to Th1 and Th2 helper clones described in mice. Although 21 out of 503 (4%) CD4+ T cell clones produced IL 4, but not IFN-gamma or IL 2, and 208 (41%) produced IL 2 and/or IFN-gamma, but not IL 4, a total number of 185 (37%) CD4+ clones showed the ability to produce IL 4 plus IL 2 and/or IFN-gamma. All types of CD4+ T cells (as classified according to their pattern of lymphokine activity) provided help for IgG production in allogeneic B cells. In contrast, helper function for IgE was detectable only among the IL 4-producing clones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Specificity of human T lymphocytes expressing a gamma/delta T cell antigen receptor. Recognition of a polymorphic determinant of HLA class I molecules by a gamma/delta clone

Alloreactive clones expressing T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta were derived by limiting dilution from CD3+ CD4- CD8- WT31- populations stimulated in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture. These clones specifically lysed phytohemagglutinin-induced blast cells bearing the stimulating alloantigens, whereas they had no effect on autologous or allogeneic unrelated target cells. Analysis of the reactivity with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for two different subsets of TcR gamma/delta (BB3 and delta-TCS-1) showed that five out of nine clones were BB3+, whereas the remaining reacted with delta-TCS-1. Therefore, we can conclude that both subsets of TcR gamma/delta+ cells are able to specifically recognize and lyse allogeneic cells. mAb directed against the CD3-TcR gamma/delta molecular complex strongly inhibited the specific cytolytic activity of TcR gamma/delta+ clones, whereas they had no effect on the lysis of the natural killer-sensitive K-562 target cells mediated by the same clones. An alloreactive delta-TCS-1+ clone (LM12) was further characterized for its specificity. LM12 clone had been derived after stimulation in mixed lymphocyte culture against donor M.M. (HLA typing: Aw68, 24; B35, w55; DR1, 7). The analysis of a large panel of phytohemagglutinin-induced target cells revealed that only the HLA-A24+ target cells were lysed. The direct evidence that the A24 molecule represented the restriction element was provided by experiments using A24-transfected murine P815 target cells. Thus, clone LM12 efficiently lysed A24-transfected P815 cells, but not the same cells untransfected or transfected with the Cw3 gene. Therefore, it appears that polymorphic determinants of class I major histocompatibility complex molecules can be the target of TcR gamma/delta+ alloreactive cell recognition.     

Human T lymphocyte clones with killer or natural killer activity

We describe a reliable method for obtaining a significantly higher frequency of human cloned T lymphocytes with killer and/or NK-like activity. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were treated with recombinant interferon-γ (rIFN-γ) and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in a culture medium containing autologous serum and were then cloned by single cell micromanipulation. The cloned T lymphocyte populations were tested simultaneously for their ability to proliferate in response to exogeneous IL-2, to exhibit lectin-dependent cytolysis and to kill the tumor cell line K562. Results indicate that the cloning technique allowed each isolated T lymphocyte to undergo cell expansion. Furthermore when T cells were pretreated with rIFN-γ and rIL-2, 88% of the T cell clones were capable of mediating cytotoxicity in the presence of PHA. Moreover one third of the clones which exhibited lectin-dependent lysis were able to kill K562 target cells.     

Spontaneous and PHA-induced rosetting of human blood, tonsil lymphocytes and MLC blasts with sheep, human and horse erythrocytes.

Compared to peripheral blood lymphocytes the ability of human tonsil T cells and MLC blasts to bind sheep, human and horse erythrocytes was found to be increased. Tonsil and MLC T cells were able to bind sheep red blood cells without any cold incubation, i.e. they were 'early' rosettes, and higher percentage of human and horse erythrocyte rosettes were formed by these cells. Low doses of phytohaemagglutinin increased the proportion of rosettes between peripheral blood, tonsil, MLC cells and human and horse erythrocytes. PHA acted only on T cells, and not on B cells, lymphoblastoid B and other cell lines. On the ground of the stronger rosetting property of MLC blasts and tonsil cells, it is likely that the T cells responsible for binding of horse and human erythrocytes after PHA treatment are 'early' or 'active' rosetting cells.     

Perpetual Proliferation of LYT-1 Cells Requires Repetitive Signals for IL-2 Receptor Induction by Antigen-presenting Cells

T cell lines with specificity for bovine insulin and ovalbumin were maintained by serial stimulation with antigen presented on irradiated syngeneic spleen cells, alternating 3 days later with subculture in IL-2 containing medium (CM). When the cultures were repetitively split in CM, with concomitant dilution of antigen-presenting cells, a gradual loss of proliferative capacity of the cells in the presence of CM was observed. Absorption studies revealed a 20-fold reduction of IL-2 receptors on the surface of T blasts assayed 12 days after antigenic stimulation as compared with day 5 blasts. This decrement in the number of IL-2 acceptor sites reflected an actual decrease in cell surface density of IL-2 receptors. Restimulation of the T blasts with antigen and spleen cells induced both a substantial increase in IL-2 receptor density and responsiveness to CM. Furthermore, the permanent presence of antigen and spleen cells during splitting of the T blasts in CM prevented the loss of responsiveness to IL-2. As an interpretation we propose that the Lyt-1 cells studied here clear their IL-2 receptors from the cell surface after interaction with IL-2. Thus, each new round of replication of the daughter cells would be dependent on induction of IL-2 receptors by activating signals provided by antigen/la structures on accessory cells as well as possibly accessory cell products such as IL-1, rendering Lyt-1 cells sensitive to regulatory influences.     

Generation of antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed against class II molecules expressed by activated T cells

Mitogen-activated T cells were used to provide a source of Class II antigens to CTL originally stimulated against mononuclear cells expressing both foreign Class I and Class II determinants. Our results indicated that 7-10-day-old activated T antigen-presenting cells, which shared only Class II antigens with the original priming cell, were able to stimulate the differentiation of CTL-recognizing Class II determinants. The use of 14-day-old activated T cells as target cells in the CML assay, compared with 72 h PHA blasts or 7-day-old activated T cells, enabled a more sensitive detection of the anti-Class II CTL.