Antigen-induced production of lymphokines by human T cell clones specific for hepatitis B surface antigen.

The secretion of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), and B cell growth factor (BCGF) by human T cell clones specific for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was examined. Antigenic stimulation by HBsAg but not by influenza A virus resulted in IFN-gamma and BCGF synthesis by the T cell clones. No detectable amounts of IL-2 were obtained in the supernatants of any of the HBsAg-specific T cell clones when cultured in the presence or absence of antigen. IFN-gamma and BCGF were produced, even when cell proliferation was inhibited, suggesting that the secretion of these T cell factors occurred regardless of cell proliferation. The significance of the various factors in the immune response against hepatitis B virus infection is discussed.