In vitro properties of murine autoreactive T cell clones with specificity for erythrocytes

A panel of IL-2 dependent T cell clones was generated from the lymph nodes of Balb/c mice immunized with RRBC which carry both foreign determinants specific for RRBC and crossreactive determinants shared with MRBC. From this panel, two clones designated L1R1 41 and L2R1 10 were successfully maintained in long-term culture for over six months and possessed essentially similar properties. They were slow growing and secreted a late-acting B cell growth factor but neither BSF-1 (Il-4) nor gamma interferon. Although Thy-1+ they were negative for other differentiation antigens including Ly-1, Ly-2 and L3T4. Both clones underwent antigen dependent proliferation in vitro. At a T cell:irradiated spleen cell ratio of 1:10 they responded to RRBC and MRBC equally well whereas at a ratio of 10:1 only an anti-self response was obtained. These results illustrate how antigen presentation may influence the capacity of the immune system to discriminate between self and non-self.