Generation of virus-specific cytotoxic T cells in vitro. I. Induction conditions of primary and secondary Sendai virus-specific cytotoxic T cells.

H-2-restricted cytotoxic T cells specific for Sendai virus were generated in vitro in a primary response from normal mouse lymphocytes cultured in the presence of infective as well as inactivated Sendai virus. Antigen-presenting cells of different origin, including T cells, were found to be effective stimulators. Antibodies to Sendai virus were shown to inhibit the activation of specific precursor killer cells when added to cultures before, but not after, the addition of viral antigen. Data obtained by Lyt phenotyping, revealed that precursor killer cells specific for Sendai virus reside in the Lyt-2,3+ T cell population and that Lyt-1,2,3+ T cells are not required for the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Different activation kinetics were demonstrated for primary and secondary antiviral cytotoxic responses, and the analysis of the proliferation and stimulation requirements suggests qualitative differences.