Isolation and characterization of protective T cells induced by Listeria monocytogenes.
Rats convalescing from a recent infection with Listeria monocytogenes generate T cells which can protect recipient rats against a challenge infection with that organism. Using monoclonal antibodies that react with some but not all rat peripheral T cells, the T-cell mediators of acquired resistance to infection (TCRI) were isolated by panning and characterized by using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Many L. monocytogenes-immune TCRI were relatively large cells as judged by their light-scattering properties. That finding accords with previously reported cytokinetic data and velocity sedimentation analyses which revealed that the majority of L. monocytogenes-immune TCRI are lymphoblasts. In the current investigation, the surface antigenic profile of these mediator T cells was revealed as W3/25+ OX8+ OX4+ RT6.1-. That phenotype is identical to that of L. monocytogenes-induced prekiller cells which are formed as part of the animal's cell-mediated response to infection. Like prekiller cells and their differentiated counterparts, L. monocytogenes-immune TCRI adhere preferentially to monolayers of syngeneic fibroblasts. The results indicate that L. monocytogenes-immune TCRI belong to a minor subset of peripheral T cells which also contains T cells that have the cytotoxic potential by which L. monocytogenes-induced prekiller cells have been defined.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface