Human T cell clones reactive with hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen from a HBV vaccine recipient.

Five T-cell clones reactive with HBsAg were obtained from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a HBV vaccine recipient by means of in vitro stimulation of lymphocytes for 5 days by HBsAg and subsequent re-culture of lymphocytes with HBsAg, feeder cells and T cell growth factor (TCGF) for 6 days, followed by the limiting dilution method. Clones, and subclones derived from one original clone showed a specific proliferative response to HBsAg in the presence of autologous feeder cells but not to unrelated antigens, such as influenza virus antigens, herpes simplex antigens, toxoplasma antigens, and PPD. All clones were found to have a surface marker of helper/inducer phenotype, Leu 1+, Leu 2a-, and Leu 3a+, detected by an indirect immunofluorescence method. These clones, however, did not show a substantial helper effect for in vitro anti-HBs production by autologous B cells. This suggests that the mechanism of the helper effect by specific T-cell clones is implicated, and functions of such clones other than specific helper effect on antibody-producing B cells must be considered.