Lyt phenotype and H-2 compatibility requirements of effector cells in the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to dengue virus infection

The nature of effector cells which mediate delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to dengue type 2 virus and the influence of the H-2 complex on the cellular transfer of DTH was investigated. The DTH effector cells appeared to consist of two types of T cells, one Lyt-1.1+, the other Lyt-2.1+ or, alternatively, an interaction between these two T cell subsets may be required for maximal expression of DTH. Cellular transfer of DTH reactivity also required compatibility at the K and D or I region of the H-2 complex. Compatibility at the D region alone was not sufficient for transfer of DTH. The significance and implications of these findings are discussed.