Macrophage-mediated in vitro sensitization of T-lymphocytes. I; Detection of murine leukemia virus-associated antigens.

Cytotoxic effector T-lymphocytes were produced in vitro by sensitization of spleen cells on monolayers of syngeneic macrophages that had been fed with radiation leukemia virus-containing cell extracts or with supernatants of virus-producing cell cultures. The sensitized lymphocytes were cytotoxic to cell lines that expressed viral antigens. Secondary mouse embryo fibroblasts were little affected. Sensitization via macrophages appeared to be a useful system for identification of viral antigens on surfaces of various target cells, as well as for tests of the protective effect of such lymphocytes against tumor growth in vivo.