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.