Cell-mediated cytotoxic response to cells bearing Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen in chickens infected with Marek's disease virus.

In a microcytotoxicity test in which 51Cr-labeled cells of a Marek's disease (MD) lymphoblastoid line (MSB-1 line) were used, cell-mediated cytotoxicity of spleen cell suspensions prepared from chickens inoculated with MD virus was demonstrated. This cytotoxic response, presumably directed against MD tumor-associated surface antigen, was detectable briefly after virus infection and paralleled the appearance of early lymphoproliferative lesions characteristic of MD.