Cross-reactive cytotoxic T cells to alphavirus infection.

Secondary Tc cells immune to alphaviruses (BEB, SIN and SFV) cross-react between serologically defined subgroups at the level of target lysis and at the level of induction of response. Despite this apparently complete Tc cell cross-reactivity between BEB, SIN and SFV, antisera raised against BEB and SIN showed virus specificity in their ability to block Tc cell-mediated lysis of alphavirus-infected targets. This result suggests that Tc cells recognize the same viral antigen molecule as antibodies, but with less specificity. Other possible interpretations are discussed.