Cloned long-term cytolytic T-lymphocyte line with specificity for an immediate-early membrane antigen of murine cytomegalovirus

Long-term cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) lines that are specific for
distinct antigens associated with different phases of the
replicative cycle of the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) were
established by cloning of CTL lines derived from lymph nodes of
latently infected BALB/c mice. Two CTL clones were characterized in
detail. Both displayed the Lyt-2+, L3T4- surface phenotype, and the
recognition of their respective target antigens was class I (DLd)
major histocompatibility complex antigen restricted. Clone S1 was
specific for a structural antigen of MCMV, and clone IE1 detected
an MCMV-specified immediate-early (IE) membrane antigen. Clone IE1
retained lytic activity, antigen specificity, and self-restriction
after prolonged propagation in the presence of recombinant human
interleukin-2 without restimulation by antigen. This
interleukin-2-dependent line of the clone IE1, line IE1-IL, can
serve as a reference line for the definition of the antigenic
determinant IE1 of an IE membrane antigen.