title: Parasite antigen-specific human T cell lines and clones. Major histocompatibility complex restriction and B cell helper function.
abstract: The development of T lymphocyte lines and clones of defined specificity has become an important method for investigating both T cell recognition of foreign antigens as well as T cell influence on B cells. In the present study, human antigen-specific T cell lines and clones have been derived from a patient with a naturally acquired filarial infection. These T cells are of the helper phenotype (Leu 1+, Leu 2-, Leu 3+) and are independent of exogenous interleukin-2. Furthermore, these T cells have been shown to require both antigen-presenting cells and antigen for optimal proliferation. Helper function mediated by these T cells as manifested by the in vitro induction of parasite-specific antibody was antigen-dose dependent, requiring much lower antigen concentrations than those necessary to induce blastogenesis. More importantly, there is an absolute requirement of the T cell line for HLA-DR histocompatible antigen-presenting cells; clones derived from this T cell line show a more specific DR-related restriction--to only one of the two parental DR haplotypes in antigen stimulated proliferative responses. Such parasite antigen specific human helper T cell lines and clones should prove useful in exploring the fine control of the host response to naturally acquired helminth infections. In addition, these long-term T cell lines and clones can provide a potent tool for examining not only the events involved in human T cell responses to parasite antigens, but also into the associated cellular and humoral factors necessary for the B cell responses which follow.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007136:Immunoglobulins