Generation of Effector Cells from T Cell Subsets. I. Similar Requirements for Lyt T Cell Subpopulations in the Generation of Alloreactive and H-2 Restricted Killer Cells

Lyt T cell subsets involved in the generation of H-2 restricted and alloreactive cytotoxic effector cells were analysed using anti Lyt antisera. Our data show that Lyt 1, 2, 3 + T cells are required for the induction of primary and secondary H-2 restricted and TNP-specific killer cells. In contrast, primary and secondary H-2 restricted and virus-specific T effector cells were obtained from selected Lyt 2, 3 + T cell populations and were not dependent on the presence of Lyt 1, 2, 3+ T cells. Allogeneic responses to selected K, I, or D region differences were obtained only in the presence of Lyt 1,2,3 + T cells; yet alloreactive killer cells were effectively generated from selected Lyt 2,3+ T cell populations deprived of Lyt 1,2,3+ T cells, when responder and stimulator cells differed at either K + D, K + I, I and D regions or in the entire H-2 region.

Taken together, the results suggest that there is no qualitative difference between alloreactive and H-2 restricted cytotoxic responses in their requirements for particular Lyt T cell subsets. The findings indicate that the number of different antigenic determinants rather than their association with MHC self determinants is critical for the requirement of Lyt 1, 2, 3+ T cells during the sensitization phase.