T cell hybridomas reactive with the acetylcholine receptor and its subunits.

A panel of thirty cloned rat-mouse T cell hybridomas was prepared by fusion of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-reactive rat T cells with the mouse thymoma BW5147. The T cell hybrids were demonstrated to be AChR reactive by their ability to secrete IL 2 in response to either AChR itself or by purified AChR subunits (alpha,beta,gamma, or delta). Various patterns of AChR subunit reactivity were observed, suggesting a predominant recognition of the alpha subunit, and also a considerable cross-reactivity from one subunit to another.