Specific reversal of cytolytic T lymphocyte--target cell interaction.

A functional assay is described that measures the reversal of specific cytolytic T cell (CTL)-target cell binding. Binding of 51Cr-labeled P815 cells was stable in suspension but could be readily reversed by the addition of unlabeled P815 cells. The reversal of CTL-tumor cell and CTL-spleen cell binding was H-2 specific; only cells of the same H-2 type as the bound target cell could induce reversal. In all cases, tumor cells were substantially more efficient than spleen cells in inducing specific reversal.