Generation of cytotoxic cells in absence of blastogenesis by mouse leukemic cells in mixed cultures.

Primary virus-induced murine leukemias and transplantable leukemic cell lines, originally induced by virus, chemical or physical agents, failed to stimulate normal spleen cells differing at the H-2 complex or at Mls locus in the one-way mixed leukocyte culture. Lack of stimulation seems at least partially due to a nonspecific inhibitory effect since in a "three-party" culture system the leukemic cells interfered with the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) of normal allogeneic cells. Characterization of the leukemic cell populations used, according to their T or B cell origin, disclosed that in most cases T cell markers were present. Also, no Ia antigens were detected on leukemic cells. Furthermore, using a 51Cr release assay, leukemic cells could sensitize allogeneic normal lymphocytes to kill specifically normal as well as leukemic targets, even when no MLR was detected in parallel cultures.